Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This comforting crockpot ground beef pasta is a perfect one-pot meal that combines tender beef, creamy sauce, and hearty pasta for an easy dinner solution. It requires minimal hands-on time and delivers rich, savory flavors that the whole family will love. Ideal for busy days, it cooks slowly to develop depth and finishes with fresh spinach for a nutritious touch.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for better flavor and moisture)
• 1/2 cup onion (finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (room temperature)
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks until browned and mostly no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring constantly for another minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Carefully drain excess grease from the skillet, leaving just enough for flavor. Transfer the beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine evenly.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, until the beef is tender and the broth is richly seasoned.
4. Step 4: Switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in the uncooked pasta, breaking it up slightly to submerge it in the liquid. Slowly pour in the room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to distribute. Add grated parmesan and stir until well combined. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Stir fresh spinach into the hot pasta just before serving. Let it wilt for 1-2 minutes, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef to keep the meat moist; leaner options might dry out.
• Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for the beef; reduce Italian seasoning if using sausage.
• Swap pasta shapes with penne, rotini, or shells; avoid long noodles like spaghetti.
• Try half-and-half or full-fat milk with butter instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
• Use chicken or vegetable broth in place of beef broth for a different flavor.
• Replace spinach with kale, arugula, or frozen peas if preferred.
• Grated mozzarella or an Italian cheese blend works as a parmesan substitute.
• Wait to add pasta until the last 45 minutes to avoid overcooking and mushy texture.
• Use room-temperature cream to prevent curdling when adding to hot liquid.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess, or microwave in portions, stirring halfway through. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw and reheat slowly, stirring to recombine any separated sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for the beef. Keep in mind that the flavor and fat content will vary, so adjusting seasonings and adding oil may be necessary.

Why should I add the pasta later in the cooking process?

Adding pasta too early can lead to overcooked, mushy noodles. Adding it during the last 45 minutes ensures the pasta cooks properly without becoming too soft.

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 132 reviews

This Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta is a delicious one-pot meal that combines browned ground beef, savory beef broth, and pasta cooked slowly in a crockpot. Finished with creamy heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach, it’s a rich and hearty dish perfect for easy family dinners with minimal cleanup.

• Author: Sophie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Beef Base:

• 1 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20 for better flavor and moisture)
• 1/2 cup onion (finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp oil

For the Sauce and Pasta:

• 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
• 4 cups beef broth (Swanson or similar for a savory base)
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (room temperature, about 70°F to prevent curdling)
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef and Aromatics: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and mostly no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes. Add diced onion and minced garlic, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker and Build the Broth Base: Transfer the browned beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to evenly combine all seasonings and create a savory broth base.
3. Slow Cook the Beef Base: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours. The longer cooking on low intensifies flavor and tenderizes the beef. Beef should be very tender and broth richly seasoned by the end.
4. Add Pasta, Cream, and Cheese for Final Cook: Switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in uncooked pasta, breaking it up slightly so it submerges in liquid. Slowly pour room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to prevent curdling. Sprinkle in grated parmesan and stir thoroughly. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy and thickened.
5. Finish with Spinach and Serve: Stir fresh spinach into the hot pasta just before serving to wilt it in 1-2 minutes. Give a final stir, taste for seasoning, and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

• Use 80/20 ground beef to maintain moisture and flavor during slow cooking.
• Don’t add pasta too early to avoid mushy texture; wait until the last 45 minutes.
• Drain excess grease from ground beef to prevent oily dish.
• Add cream and parmesan cheese near the end to keep sauce smooth and prevent separation.
• Resist lifting the lid during slow cooking to maintain temperature and cooking time.
• Substitutions: ground turkey or chicken for beef; half-and-half or coconut cream instead of heavy cream; different short pasta shapes like shells or rotini.
• Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days, add broth or cream when reheating.
• Freezes up to 2 months, though cream sauces may separate slightly and require stirring when reheated.

Keywords: crockpot ground beef pasta, slow cooker pasta, creamy beef pasta, one pot meal, easy family dinner, comfort food