Crockpot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

Crockpot creamy ground beef pasta is an easy dinner that tastes like pure comfort. Using simple ingredients like pasta, ground beef, beef broth, basic seasonings, and heavy cream, the slow cooker transforms this into a cheesy and hearty meal the whole family will love. The best part? You don’t even need to pre-cook the pasta, it cooks right in the crockpot! Instructions to make this creamy beef and pasta dish in the Instant Pot are also included.

Ingredients For Crockpot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

• Ground Beef
• Uncooked Pasta
• Onion
• Garlic
• Beef Broth
• Heavy Cream
• Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh or Frozen Spinach
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper

How To Make Crockpot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
4. The last 45 minutes of cooking time, turn the slow cooker to the HIGH setting if not already on it. Stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the pasta is tender. Stir in the spinach before serving. 

Instant Pot

1. 1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
   2. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
   3. Close lid and seal valve. Set on high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
   4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
   5. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and spinach. 

FAQs & Tips

What type of pasta should you use?

Technically, you can use 8 ounces of your preferred type of uncooked pasta but some are better than others. Short, sturdy pastas like bowtie, medium shells, rotini, or penne,  work best in the crockpot. Avoid pasta like angel hair, fettucine, or spaghetti because they can tend to overcook quickly & turn  mushy. Keep in mind that pastas will cook faster than others depending on their size so you may need to adjust the cook time.  Gluten-free pasta tends to cook faster so you may need to shorten the cook time.

Do you have to use ground beef?

Nope. Feel free to swap in another ground meat like turkey or chicken. 

Is there a substitute for the heavy cream?

My 2 substitute suggestions are half & half or full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for a dairy-free option. I  do not recommend using milk because it will not add any creamy or thickness. 

Can you make this dairy-free?

Yes. Omit the Parmesan cheese and use full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.  

Can you make this vegan?

You can! Use vegan ‘meat’ crumbles, vegetable broth instead of beef broth, full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream in place of the heavy cream, and omit the Parmesan cheese. 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker creamy round beef pasta in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe. 

Pasta Recipes

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• Homemade Hamburger Helper

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• Mac and Cheese

Crockpot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

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Crockpot creamy ground beef pasta is an easy dinner that tastes like pure comfort. Using simple ingredients like pasta, ground beef, beef broth, basic seasonings, and heavy cream, the slow cooker transforms this into a cheesy and hearty meal the whole family will love. The best part? You don’t even need to pre-cook the pasta, it cooks right in the crockpot! Instructions to make this creamy beef and pasta dish in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh or frozen spinach or kale
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or another dried herb
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
4. The last 45 minutes of cooking time, turn the slow cooker to the HIGH setting if not already on it. Stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the pasta is tender. Stir in the spinach before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set on high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
5. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and spinach.

Notes

• The cook time for the pasta will vary depending on the type and size you use.
• This dish will thicken as it cools.

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