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Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 52 reviews

This Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful one-pot meal that layers ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and a rich cream cheese mixture slow-cooked to perfection. Topped with melted mozzarella, it’s comforting and perfect for an easy family dinner with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

Sauce & Pasta

  • 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce, divided
  • 1 (24 oz) jar filled with water
  • 1 (16 oz) box uncooked bowtie pasta

Topping

  • 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place the lean ground beef in a large skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, breaking it apart until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside.
  2. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated. Set aside.
  3. Layer Sauce in Slow Cooker: Pour half of one jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading it evenly to the edges to create the first layer.
  4. Add First Layer of Pasta & Sauce: Sprinkle half of the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly over the marinara sauce layer. Then, pour the remaining half jar of marinara sauce evenly over the pasta.
  5. Add Water: Fill the empty sauce jar with water and pour half of this water evenly over the pasta and sauce layers. This will help cook the pasta evenly.
  6. Add Beef and Cream Mixture: Sprinkle half of the cooked ground beef evenly over the pasta layer, then spoon the entire prepared cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the beef.
  7. Add Remaining Pasta and Sauce: Layer the remaining uncooked pasta on top of the cream cheese mixture, then pour the second jar of marinara sauce evenly over this pasta layer.
  8. Add Remaining Water and Beef: Gently pour the remaining half jar of water over the top layer to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Finish by adding the remaining cooked ground beef evenly over the top.
  9. Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on low heat for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check if pasta is tender; if not, cook an additional 30 minutes, adding water if needed.
  10. Add Cheese and Melt: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover and cook on low for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.
  11. Serve: Carefully scoop portions from the slow cooker ensuring each serving contains the layered components. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy slow cooker pasta.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to minimize grease and excess fat in the dish.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing in the cheese mixture.
  • Do not precook the pasta; it cooks perfectly while slow cooking in the sauce and water.
  • If the pasta is not tender enough after the initial cook time, add a little extra water and continue cooking.
  • You can check the pasta doneness after 2 hours but the full cooking time of 3 hours delivers the best texture.
  • Stir gently or scoop carefully to maintain the layered presentation of the dish.
  • This recipe serves 6 generously; pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Keywords: slow cooker pasta, million dollar pasta, creamy pasta, cheesy pasta, slow cooker dinner, ground beef pasta, easy slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/slow-cooker-million-dollar-pasta-recipe/