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Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 532 reviews

This Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Ground beef, three types of cheese, Italian seasoning, and rich pasta sauce slowly cook together in a slow cooker, infusing the cavatappi pasta with incredible flavor and comforting texture. The melted mozzarella topping adds a delightful cheesy finish, making this dish a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion (about half a large onion)

Dairy

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Pantry

  • salt (to taste)
  • ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce (48 ounces total)
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar of water
  • 16 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Cook 2 pounds lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any grease and add 1 cup diced onion to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Prepare cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine 8 ounces softened cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
  3. Layer ingredients in slow cooker: Lightly spray the insert of a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add half of one jar (24 ounces) of pasta sauce to the bottom. Spread half of the uncooked cavatappi pasta (8 ounces) evenly over the sauce. Pour the remaining half of the pasta sauce jar over the pasta. Drizzle half of the jar of water (12 ounces) evenly over the sauce. Then spread half of the browned ground beef mixture over the top.
  4. Add cheese and remaining ingredients: Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top of the beef layer until all is used. Add the remaining 8 ounces of uncooked pasta on top of the cheese mixture, then the remaining ground beef mixture. Pour the second jar of pasta sauce (24 ounces) over the beef, followed by the remaining water (12 ounces). Do not stir.
  5. Cook the pasta: Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is tender to your liking.
  6. Finish with cheese: Stir the pasta gently to combine. Evenly top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • Do not overcook in the slow cooker to prevent pasta from becoming mushy; check tenderness at 2 hours.
  • Feel free to swap cavatappi for other sturdy pasta shapes like rotini or penne.
  • For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.

Keywords: Crockpot pasta, Million Dollar Pasta, slow cooker recipes, creamy pasta, cheesy pasta, ground beef pasta dish

Find it online: https://topreci.com/crockpot-million-dollar-pasta-recipe/