Slow-Cooked Dreamy Beef Pasta: A Crock Pot Recipe Gem

Comfort food reaches new heights with this crock pot creamy beef pasta delight that promises to melt hearts and satisfy deep hunger.

Slow cooking brings out rich, tender flavors in every single bite.

Hearty beef mingles perfectly with smooth, velvety pasta for a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

The magic happens when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners transform into memorable moments around the table.

Each spoonful delivers pure, comforting deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This recipe is your ticket to an effortless, soul-warming dinner that requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum satisfaction.

Tools to Slow Cook Beef Pasta Like a Champ

• Slow Cooker (6-quart): Your main kitchen hero for this creamy beef pasta dish.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning and crumbling ground beef with crispy edges.
• Medium Bowl: Essential for mixing and blending the delicious cheese mixture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and layering ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Helps you add precise amounts of sauce and water.
• Cheese Grater: Needed for shredding fresh mozzarella cheese.
• Colander: Useful for draining excess grease from cooked beef.

Step-by-Step for Crock Pot Pasta Goodness

• Beef Preparation

Brown ground beef in a skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain excess grease and set aside.

• Cheese Fusion

Blend cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, garlic, and parsley in a bowl until smooth and creamy.

• Slow Cooker Foundation

Create a delicious base in the slow cooker by spreading spaghetti sauce, layering pasta, and adding cooked beef. Generously distribute the cheese mixture throughout the layers.

• Liquid Magic

Pour additional sauce and water to ensure pasta cooks perfectly and absorbs all the flavorful goodness.

• Gentle Simmering

Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Peek around two hours to check pasta tenderness.

• Cheesy Finale

Stir ingredients to blend flavors, then sprinkle mozzarella on top. Let cheese melt into a golden, irresistible topping.

Variations to Make Crock Pot Pasta Even Better

• Cheese Swap Challenge: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that will surprise your taste buds.
• Veggie Power Boost: Enhance the nutritional value by adding chopped spinach, diced bell peppers, or zucchini during the layering process for extra color and nutrients.
• Spice It Up: Kick the heat by incorporating red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce for those who love a spicy twist to their creamy pasta dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the ingredients the night before, store them in the refrigerator, and simply assemble in the morning for a hassle-free dinner that's ready when you walk through the door.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free cavatappi or penne to make this recipe friendly for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising on taste and texture.

Serving Beef Pasta Right Out of the Crock

• Pasta Party Platter: Serve this creamy beef pasta on a large wooden board with fresh herbs sprinkled on top, creating a rustic and inviting family-style presentation that encourages sharing and warmth.
• Comfort Food Companions: Pair the dish with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette and warm garlic bread to balance the richness of the creamy beef pasta and add refreshing texture to the meal.
• Side Dish Spectacular: Complement the pasta with roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus to introduce a nutritious and colorful element that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Leftovers Love: Store remaining portions in airtight containers for quick lunches or reheat for a delicious next-day meal, adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated parmesan to revive the flavors.

Store Crock Pot Beef Pasta the Smart Way

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftovers into airtight glass containers within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store remaining beef pasta in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Portion the cooled pasta into individual freezer-safe containers. These meals will stay delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to restore moisture and prevent dryness. For best texture, heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee food safety.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 7

Crock Pot Beef Pasta Ingredient Breakdown

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein foundation with robust flavor, choose lean cuts for less grease and better texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the beef's natural taste and create depth in the dish.

• Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Ricotta Cheese: Creates luxurious, velvety texture that adds incredible richness and smoothness to the pasta.
• Minced Garlic: Brings aromatic warmth and depth, selecting fresh garlic cloves will elevate the overall flavor profile.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh, bright herbaceous notes that balance the heaviness of the cheese and meat.

• Cavatappi Pasta: Curly, corkscrew-shaped pasta that beautifully traps sauce and provides delightful textural experience.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Foundational flavor carrier that binds all ingredients, opt for high-quality marinara with balanced tomato sweetness.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers stretchy, golden-brown topping that creates irresistible melted cheese layer.
• Water: Helps create perfect cooking liquid for pasta absorption and sauce consistency.

Hearty Crock Pot Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Beef Pasta Delight offers a comforting blend of tender beef and rich pasta. Hearty ingredients meld together for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners. You’ll savor each delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
• 16 oz (454 g) cavatappi pasta
• 2 jars (24 oz/680 g) spaghetti sauce
• 24 oz (710 ml) water
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (250 ml) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a skillet until perfectly browned and crumbled, meticulously draining excess fat to ensure a crisp, lean texture.
2. Creamy Fusion: Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, minced garlic, and parsley into a silky, aromatic blend that promises rich, velvety depth.
3. Foundation Layer: Spread half a jar of spaghetti sauce across the crock pot base, establishing a robust flavor cornerstone for the dish.
4. Pasta and Sauce Integration: Distribute cavatappi evenly over the sauce, then pour remaining spaghetti sauce and an equivalent water volume to create a moisture-rich cooking environment.
5. Layered Assembly: Strategically arrange ground beef and dollop the creamy cheese mixture between pasta layers, building a complex flavor profile with each addition.
6. Slow Cooking Transformation: Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and pasta to reach perfect tenderness.
7. Final Flourish: Culminate the dish by blanketing the surface with shredded mozzarella, melting into a golden, irresistible crown that elevates the entire culinary creation.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Thoroughly brown ground beef to develop deep flavor and eliminate excess fat, ensuring a crisp texture and preventing watery results.
• Cheese Mixture Consistency: Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta until completely smooth to prevent lumpy sauce and create a luxurious, creamy texture.
• Liquid Balance: Use equal parts sauce and water to prevent dry pasta while maintaining ideal moisture without making the dish too soupy.
• Melting Cheese Tip: Add mozzarella in the final stages to achieve a perfectly golden, stretchy top layer that adds visual appeal and extra richness.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg