Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This comforting crockpot ground beef pasta is a hearty, creamy dish perfect for busy evenings. With minimal prep and one pot to clean, it’s a delicious meal that cooks itself while you take care of other things. The combination of tender beef, savory broth, and cheesy pasta makes it a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for better flavor and moisture)
• 1/2 cup onion, finely diced (about 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, about 70°F)
• 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. Step 1: 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. Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Carefully drain off excess grease from the skillet, leaving a small amount for flavor. Transfer the beef mixture to the 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 well 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 avoid curdling. Add the grated parmesan and stir. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Stir in fresh spinach just before serving. Let the residual heat wilt the spinach for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use 80/20 ground beef for moisture and flavor; leaner beef may dry out during cooking.
• Try substituting ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for different flavors. If using sausage, reduce Italian seasoning.
• Swap pasta shapes with penne, rotini, or shells, but avoid long noodles like spaghetti that don’t cook well in a crockpot.
• Half-and-half or full-fat milk with butter can replace heavy cream for a lighter sauce; coconut cream works for a dairy-free option.
• Fresh or frozen spinach can be swapped with kale, arugula, or peas for added greens.
• To prevent a mushy texture, add pasta only in the last 45 minutes of cooking and check doneness at 30 minutes.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will absorb sauce over time, so add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen it. This dish freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw before reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken, but the flavor will be milder. You might want to add a bit more oil or seasoning to compensate for the lower fat content.

Why do I need to add the cream and cheese near the end?

Adding cream and cheese at the end prevents them from separating or curdling during the long cook time. Stirring them in during the final cooking stage keeps the sauce smooth and creamy.

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 68 reviews

A comforting and easy-to-make crockpot ground beef pasta dish that combines rich, savory flavors with creamy sauce and melted parmesan. This one-pot slow cooker recipe simplifies dinnertime by cooking pasta and beef together, infusing the dish with Italian seasoning and fresh spinach for a wholesome family meal.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the beef base:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for 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
• 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 oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and mostly pink is gone, about 3-5 minutes. Add diced onion and minced garlic, stirring constantly for another minute until fragrant.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker and Build the Broth Base: Pour off excess grease from the skillet, leaving some for flavor. Transfer the 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 combine.
3. Slow Cook the Beef Base: Cover the slow cooker 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. Add Pasta, Cream, and Cheese for Final Cook: Switch slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in uncooked pasta, breaking it up slightly to submerge it. Slowly pour in room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to prevent curdling. Add grated parmesan and stir until combined. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
5. Finish with Spinach and Serve: Stir fresh spinach into the hot pasta mixture just before serving. Allow it to wilt for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Notes

• Use 80/20 ground beef to ensure moisture and flavor throughout cooking.
• Adding pasta at the end prevents it from becoming mushy.
• Use room-temperature cream to avoid sauce curdling.
• Drain excess grease well after browning the beef.
• Do not lift the slow cooker lid frequently during cooking to maintain proper temperature.
• Substitutes: ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage; pasta shapes like rotini or shells; heavy cream alternatives such as half-and-half or coconut cream; chicken or vegetable broth; spinach alternatives like kale or frozen peas; parmesan substitutes like mozzarella or Italian cheese blends.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat gently with extra broth or cream to restore creamy texture.

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