Introduction

This comforting crockpot ground beef pasta is a perfect one-pot meal that combines tender beef, creamy sauce, and tender pasta all cooked together with minimal effort. It’s ideal for busy days when you want a hearty dinner waiting for you at home without spending hours in the kitchen.

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20 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)
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

Step 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks until browned and most pink is gone, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking another minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Pour off excess grease from the skillet, leaving just enough 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.
Step 3: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours until the beef is very tender and broth well seasoned.
Step 4: Switch slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in uncooked pasta, breaking it up slightly so it is mostly submerged. Slowly add the room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to avoid curdling. Add grated parmesan and stir until combined. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy and thickened.
Step 5: Stir fresh spinach into the hot pasta mixture just before serving. Let the residual heat wilt the spinach for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Tips & Variations

Use 80/20 ground beef for moist, flavorful meat; turkey or chicken can be used but add extra oil for moisture.
Swap penne or rotini pasta with shells or other short pasta; avoid long noodles like spaghetti.
For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half or milk with a tablespoon of butter for heavy cream.
Chicken or vegetable broth can be used instead of beef broth for a milder flavor.
Replace spinach with kale, arugula, or frozen peas based on preference.
Parmesan can be swapped for mozzarella or other Italian cheese blends added at the end for best melting.
Don’t add pasta too early to avoid mushy texture; add it in the last 45 minutes of cooking.
Always use room-temperature cream to prevent sauce separation.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce, or microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Cream sauces may separate slightly after freezing but will re-combine when reheated and stirred well.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use lean ground beef for this recipe?

Using lean ground beef (like 90/10) may result in drier meat and a less rich sauce. For best results, it’s recommended to use ground beef with some fat content such as 80/20 to keep the dish moist and flavorful.

Why should I add the pasta late in the cooking process?

Adding pasta too early can cause it to overcook and become mushy. Adding it in the last 45 minutes ensures it cooks just right while absorbing flavors without losing texture.

Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 96 reviews

This Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta is a one-pot, slow-cooked meal that blends tender ground beef, savory seasonings, and creamy pasta sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines the ease of slow cooking with rich flavors and a creamy texture, finished with fresh spinach for a nutritious touch.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Base:

1 lb ground beef (80/20 for better 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)
4 cups beef broth (Swanson recommended)
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (room temperature, about 70°F)
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

Brown the Ground Beef and Aromatics: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and most pink is gone, about 3-5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, stirring constantly for another minute until fragrant. Drain excess grease carefully.
Transfer to Slow Cooker and Build Broth Base: Transfer browned beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 4 cups beef broth, 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, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine all seasonings and liquid thoroughly, creating a flavorful base.
Slow Cook the Beef Base: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, depending on your schedule. The beef should become very tender and the broth richly seasoned by the end of this phase.
Add Pasta, Cream, and Cheese for Final Cook: Switch slow cooker to HIGH. Stir in 8 oz uncooked pasta, breaking it up so it’s submerged in liquid. Slowly pour in 1 1/4 cups room-temperature heavy cream while stirring to prevent curdling. Add 3/4 cup grated parmesan and stir thoroughly. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy and thick.
Finish with Spinach and Serve: Stir 1 cup fresh spinach into the hot pasta mixture just before serving. Residual heat will wilt the spinach in 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Notes

Use ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 fat content for moist, flavorful meat; leaner options may dry out.
Avoid adding pasta too early to prevent mushy texture; add in the last 45 minutes of cooking.
Drain excess grease after browning beef to avoid oily dish.
Always use room-temperature heavy cream to prevent curdling when adding to hot liquid.
Do not lift the slow cooker lid frequently to prevent heat loss and extended cooking times.
Substitutions: ground turkey/chicken or Italian sausage for beef; penne, rotini, shells for pasta; half-and-half or coconut cream as cream substitutes; chicken or vegetable broth for beef broth; kale, arugula, or peas for spinach; mozzarella or Italian cheese blend for parmesan.
Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat gently with addition of broth or cream to restore creaminess.

Keywords: crockpot ground beef pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy pasta dinner, creamy beef pasta, one pot meal, comfort food