Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This comforting crockpot ground beef pasta is a perfect meal for busy days. It combines tender beef, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta—all made in one pot. With minimal prep and set-it-and-forget-it cooking, you’ll have a delicious dinner ready when you are.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred 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, about 70°F to prevent curdling)
• 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, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned and most pink is gone, 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 some 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 well to combine.
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 so it is submerged as much as possible. Slowly pour in the 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. Step 5: Stir fresh spinach into the hot pasta just before serving. Let it wilt for 1-2 minutes. Give everything a final stir, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use 80/20 ground beef for moist, flavorful meat. Substitute with ground turkey or chicken but add extra oil to compensate for lower fat.
• Try different short pasta shapes like shells or rotini; avoid long noodles which don’t cook evenly in the crockpot.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
• Spinach can be swapped with kale, arugula, or frozen peas for variety and added nutrition.
• Check pasta at 30 minutes during the final cook to avoid overcooking and mushiness.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess, or microwave portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw and reheat carefully to avoid sauce separation.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use leaner ground beef for this recipe?

Lean ground beef (90/10 or higher) can be used but may result in drier meat and less rich sauce. Adding a bit more oil or switching to ground turkey with extra oil can help maintain moisture.

When should I add the pasta to the slow cooker?

Add the uncooked pasta during the last 45 minutes of cooking. Adding it too early will cause the pasta to become mushy and overcooked.

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 96 reviews

This Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta recipe is a delicious and easy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is browned with aromatics, then slow-cooked with a flavorful broth and Italian seasoning before adding pasta, cream, and parmesan for a creamy, satisfying dish. Fresh spinach is stirred in at the end for a light, nutritious boost. This recipe requires minimal prep and effort, delivers rich flavor, and uses the slow cooker for hands-off cooking with minimal cleanup.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours on HIGH or 4 to 6 hours on LOW plus 45 minutes final uncovered cooking
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes (including final pasta cook)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Main Course, One-Pot Meal
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the beef base:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended for moisture and flavor)
• 1/2 cup onion, finely diced (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 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 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and mostly no pink remains, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in finely diced onion (1/2 cup) and minced garlic cloves (2), cooking for another minute until fragrant. This step builds flavor and ensures the beef stays moist during slow cooking.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker and Build the Broth Base: Carefully drain excess grease from the skillet, leaving just enough for flavor. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add 4 cups of beef broth, 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 1 1/4 teaspoons each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine the seasonings evenly in the liquid, creating a rich, savory base for slow cooking.
3. Slow Cook the Beef Base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-6 hours, depending on your schedule. Cooking slowly allows the beef to become very tender and the broth to develop deep flavor. Avoid opening the lid frequently to maintain temperature and cooking time.
4. Add Pasta, Cream, and Cheese for Final Cook: Switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in 8 ounces of uncooked pasta, breaking it apart slightly so it is mostly submerged. Slowly pour in 1 1/4 cups room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to prevent curdling. Add 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese and combine well. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and the sauce is creamy and thick.
5. Finish with Spinach and Serve: Just before serving, stir in 1 cup of fresh spinach. Allow the residual heat to wilt the spinach for 1-2 minutes. Give the pot a final stir, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

• Use ground beef with 80/20 fat content for best moisture and flavor during slow cooking; leaner beef may become dry.
• Do not add pasta at the beginning, or it will become mushy; add it only in the last 45 minutes.
• Use room-temperature heavy cream to prevent curdling when adding to hot liquid.
• Drain excess grease well from browned beef to avoid oily flavor.
• Resist lifting the lid frequently during slow cooking to preserve heat and reduce cooking time.
• Swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for variations; adjust seasoning accordingly if using sausage.
• Short pasta shapes like penne or rotini are preferred over long noodles for even cooking in crockpot.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days; add broth or cream when reheating to loosen sauce.
• Freezes well up to 2 months; stir well when reheating to restore creamy texture.

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