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A close-up shot of the creamy crockpot beef and shells, highlighting the texture of the melted cheese and hearty meat sauce.

Crockpot Cheesy Beef Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Meal

This Crockpot Cheesy Beef Pasta is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. Tender ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and pasta are slow-cooked to perfection in a gloriously creamy and cheesy sauce your whole family will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce your favorite brand
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 12 oz uncooked medium pasta shells or rotini, penne
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart slow cooker is recommended.
  • 1 Skillet For browning the beef.

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned. Drain excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
  4. Stir in the uncooked pasta and heavy cream. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30-40 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
  5. Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and creamy. Let it rest for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken before serving.

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, shred your own cheese from a block.
Cooking times for the pasta can vary, so check it at 25 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.