Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
