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Comforting crockpot ground beef pasta served in a bowl

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta

A slow-cooked, creamy pasta dish featuring ground beef, perfect for cozy evenings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Aromatics
  • 1 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20) Helps stay juicy during slow cooking.
  • ½ cup onion, finely diced Cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp oil For browning the beef.
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
  • 8 oz pasta (Barilla penne or rotini) Holds sauce nicely.
  • 4 cups beef broth A consistent savory base.
  • 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, room temperature About 70°F to prevent curdling.
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan Can be adjusted for thickness.
  • 1 cup fresh spinach Added before serving.
  • 1 ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Method
 

Brown the beef and aromatics
  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, until browned (about 3–5 minutes).
  2. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, stir for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Carefully pour off any excess grease from the skillet.
  4. Tip: For extra flavor, stir in 1 tbsp of tomato paste with the onions and garlic.
Build the slow-cooker base
  1. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add 4 cups beef broth, 1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
  2. Tip: Taste the broth before adding pasta to adjust seasoning.
Slow-cook for depth
  1. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or LOW for 4–6 hours.
  2. Tip: Avoid lifting the lid often to keep cooking time consistent.
Add pasta, cream, and cheese
  1. Switch to HIGH setting and stir in 8 oz uncooked pasta.
  2. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring to mix well.
  3. Add 3/4 cup grated parmesan and stir until combined.
  4. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes until pasta is tender.
  5. Tip: For thicker sauce, add more parmesan; for thinner, add broth.
Finish with greens and seasoning
  1. Stir in 1 cup fresh spinach just before serving.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Store leftovers in airtight containers; keeps for 3–4 days. Freeze for 2–3 months if needed. For a make-ahead option, brown beef and assemble before refrigerating.