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