Description
A creamy and cheesy pasta dish that is easy to make in a slow cooker, perfect for busy nights when everyone is hungry.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef (About 1 to 1.5 pounds of ground beef)
- 12 oz Short pasta (Like rotini, penne, or shells)
- 1 medium Onion, diced (Can substitute with onion powder)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Or substitute with garlic powder)
- 24 oz Marinara sauce (Or use any pasta sauce)
- 1 cup Beef broth (Helps keep the dish saucy)
- 8 oz Cream cheese (For creaminess)
- 1 cup Shredded cheese (Cheddar or a blend recommended)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Paprika or red pepper flakes (Optional, for added spice)
Instructions
Preparation
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet with diced onion. Drain excess grease.
- Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot.
- Add marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours until flavors are combined.
- Near the end of the cooking time, stir in the cream cheese until melted.
- Cook the pasta separately until just barely done, then stir it into the crockpot.
- Add shredded cheese, stir, cover for a few minutes to melt, and then serve.
Notes
For creaminess, ensure an adequate amount of liquid in the slow cooker before adding dairy. Cooking the pasta separately is recommended to keep it from turning mushy. Consider browning the beef for improved flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American