Print

Cozy Cheesy Ground Beef Crockpot Pasta: Best Winter Comfort Food

cozy cheesy ground beef crockpot pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

This Cozy Cheesy Ground Beef Crockpot Pasta is the ultimate winter comfort food. It’s a creamy, cheesy, beefy pasta dish made in the slow cooker with simple ingredients, perfect for chilly nights when you need a warm, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted recommended)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (shredded from a block)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (cavatappi, elbow macaroni, rotini, or penne)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • Optional: Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Transfer to the slow cooker: Dump the beef mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the cream cheese: Place the cubed cream cheese on top of the sauce. Do not stir it in. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Stir once halfway through to help incorporate the cream cheese.
  4. Cook the pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente (1-2 minutes less than recommended). Drain well but do not rinse.
  5. Add the pasta and cheese: Stir the cooked pasta into the slow cooker. Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until melted and combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm beef broth or water.
  6. Final melt: Cover the crockpot and let it sit for 5-10 minutes on LOW to allow the cheese to fully melt and the pasta to absorb the sauce.
  7. Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, make sure the cream cheese is really softened (let it sit out for 30 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds). Shred your own cheese from a block for better melting; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Do not add the pasta too early to prevent it from becoming mushy. If the sauce is too thin, stir in an extra 1/4 cup of shredded cheese. If too thick, add a splash of warm broth. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot pasta, ground beef pasta, cheesy pasta, slow cooker pasta, winter comfort food, easy dinner, creamy pasta, beef pasta recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/cozy-cheesy-ground-beef-crockpot-pasta-best-winter-comfort-food/