Description
The Crock Pot Creamy Beef Pasta Delight is an ideal recipe for those seeking comfort food with minimal effort. This dish is cooked in a slow cooker and combines the rich flavors of ground beef with the creamy texture of cheeses, all layered with hearty pasta and topped with melted mozzarella. It’s a foolproof meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a warm, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided use
- 24 ounces of water
- 16 ounce box cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Step-by-step Directions
1. Prepare the Beef
Brown and crumble the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Once cooked, drain the excess grease and set aside.
2. Mix Cheeses
In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, minced garlic, and parsley until combined.
3. Layering Ingredients
Begin layering your ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker. Start with half a jar of spaghetti sauce spread evenly at the bottom.
Layering Continued
Add half the box of cavatappi pasta over the sauce, then pour the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce and half a jar of water on top. Add half of the cooked ground beef followed by dolloping the entire cheese mixture evenly.
4. Complete the Assembly
Continue layering the rest of the cavatappi pasta, followed by the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce and the last half jar of water. Top with the rest of the cooked ground beef.
5. Cooking
Cover the slow cooker and set to cook on low for about 2-3 hours. Check around two hours to see if the pasta is tender.
6. Adding Cheese
Once the pasta is cooked, stir the ingredients to mix well then evenly spread the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook for a few more minutes until the cheese has melted.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe serves approximately 6-8 people and has a total preparation and cooking time of about 3-4 hours.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Allow the dish to cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator, where it can be kept for up to 4 days.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave, adding a little water if the pasta seems dry.
- For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Conclusion
The Crock Pot Creamy Beef Pasta Delight is not only a testament to the convenience and versatility of slow cooker meals but also delivers a delicious, comforting dining experience. With its creamy texture and rich tastes, it promises to be a family favorite, perfect for any day of the week. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of this pasta bake with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
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Crock Pot Creamy Beef Pasta Delight
- Total Time: 3-4 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
The Crock Pot Creamy Beef Pasta Delight is an ideal recipe for those seeking comfort food with minimal effort. This dish is cooked in a slow cooker and combines the rich flavors of ground beef with the creamy texture of cheeses, all layered with hearty pasta and topped with melted mozzarella. It’s a foolproof meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a warm, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce, divided use
- 24 ounces of water
- 16 ounce box cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Brown and crumble the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Once cooked, drain the excess grease and set aside.
- Mix Cheeses: In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, minced garlic, and parsley until combined.
- Layering Ingredients: Begin layering your ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker. Start with half a jar of spaghetti sauce spread evenly at the bottom. Add half the box of cavatappi pasta over the sauce, then pour the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce and half a jar of water on top. Add half of the cooked ground beef followed by dolloping the entire cheese mixture evenly.
- Complete the Assembly: Continue layering the rest of the cavatappi pasta, followed by the remaining jar of spaghetti sauce and the last half jar of water. Top with the rest of the cooked ground beef.
- Cooking: Cover the slow cooker and set to cook on low for about 2-3 hours. Check around two hours to see if the pasta is tender.
- Adding Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, stir the ingredients to mix well then evenly spread the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook for a few more minutes until the cheese has melted.