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Slow Cooker Beef Pasta

Featured in Inspiring Dinner Ideas.

This slow cooker beef pasta brings together tender chunks of beef, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It's an easy dinner that practically cooks itself, giving you rich, comforting flavors with minimal effort.

Sarah
Updated on Tue, 21 Jan 2025 10:34:46 GMT
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A bowl of creamy pasta with ground beef and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A bowl of creamy pasta with ground beef and garnished with parsley. | kitchenscroll.com

This slow cooker beef pasta has saved countless busy days in my kitchen. The magic happens when tender beef meets a velvety mushroom cream sauce creating pure comfort in every bite. Through years of testing I've perfected this recipe making it foolproof for both weeknight dinners and casual entertaining.

What Makes This Recipe Special

The slow cooker transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. Watching simple beef and pasta become a rich creamy dish reminds me why I love sharing recipes. This one always brings my family to the table eager and hungry the moment that lid comes off.

Your Shopping List

  • Start with good quality beef stew meat cut into perfect bite sized pieces.
  • Fresh onions and garlic create our flavor base while cream of mushroom soup and beef broth add richness.
  • Heavy cream makes everything luxurious.
  • I always keep dried basil and oregano handy they're essential for that Italian touch.
  • Choose sturdy pasta like penne fresh Parmesan and parsley complete our dish.

Creating Your Dish

Layer your slow cooker starting with beef onions and garlic. Mix your creamy sauce combining mushroom soup broth cream and herbs pour it all over. Let it cook low and slow about 6 to 8 hours until the beef melts in your mouth. Cook pasta separately just before serving then stir everything together with plenty of Parmesan. A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes it picture perfect.

A bowl of rigatoni pasta mixed with chunks of meat in a creamy sauce, garnished with chopped parsley. Pin it
A bowl of rigatoni pasta mixed with chunks of meat in a creamy sauce, garnished with chopped parsley. | kitchenscroll.com

Kitchen Secrets

Always use pasta shapes that can stand up to our rich sauce. Sometimes I quickly brown the beef first for extra flavor. The pasta goes in last so it stays perfectly al dente. These little steps make such a difference in the final dish.

Keeping It Fresh

Leftovers stay beautiful in the fridge for several days. When reheating add a splash of cream to bring back that silky sauce. I often make extra to freeze in portions perfect for busy weeks ahead.

Perfect Pairings

We love this pasta with crusty garlic bread for soaking up every bit of sauce. A simple green salad adds freshness while roasted vegetables make it a complete feast. Sometimes I add red pepper flakes for grown ups who enjoy a little heat.

A bowl of creamy pasta, featuring rigatoni mixed with ground beef and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A bowl of creamy pasta, featuring rigatoni mixed with ground beef and garnished with parsley. | kitchenscroll.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different cuts of beef?
Yes, you can use chuck roast or sirloin cut into bite-sized pieces. Just make sure to trim excess fat and cut the meat into even sizes for consistent cooking.
→ Why cook the pasta separately?
Cooking pasta separately prevents it from becoming mushy in the slow cooker. This method ensures perfect al dente texture and helps maintain the pasta's shape.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
You can cook the beef and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Just prepare the pasta fresh and combine everything when ready to serve.
→ What if the sauce is too thick?
You can thin the sauce with warm beef broth or pasta water. Add liquid gradually while stirring until you reach your desired consistency.
→ Can I freeze leftovers?
While you can freeze the beef and sauce, pasta may become mushy when thawed. Consider freezing just the meat sauce and making fresh pasta when reheating.

Conclusion

A delicious and easy slow cooker recipe combining tender beef with creamy pasta, perfect for a comforting family meal with minimal preparation time.

Slow Cooker Beef Pasta

A hearty slow cooker pasta dish combining tender beef, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked penne, seasoned with Italian herbs and finished with Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
375 Minutes

Category: Dinner Delights

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings (8 cups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Beef stew meat cut into small chunks (1 pound).
02 One small onion, chopped.
03 Fresh garlic cloves, minced (4 pieces).
04 Cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz can).
05 Beef broth (1 cup).
06 Heavy cream (1 cup).
07 Dried basil (1 teaspoon).
08 Dried oregano (1 teaspoon).
09 Salt and black pepper.
10 Penne pasta (8 ounces).
11 Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup).
12 Fresh parsley for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

Put beef chunks, chopped onion, and minced garlic in your slow cooker.

Step 02

Stir together mushroom soup, broth, cream, basil, and oregano in a bowl until smooth. Pour over the meat.

Step 03

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until meat is fork-tender.

Step 04

Boil pasta until tender but firm, about 30 minutes before serving time.

Step 05

Mix cooked pasta into the meat sauce. Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

Step 06

Let it warm together for 10-15 minutes, then top with fresh parsley.

Notes

  1. You can use any short pasta shape like rotini or shells.
  2. For extra flavor, brown the meat before adding to slow cooker.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker.
  • Large pot for pasta.
  • Mixing bowl.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cream, cheese).
  • Wheat (pasta).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Total Fat: 32 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 24 g