Comforting Crockpot Ground Beef Pasta Recipe
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.
- 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
