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–+ servings
MEL'S EASY KITCHEN

Slow Cooker Beef and Three-Cheese Pasta

Ground beef, pasta sauce, and a three-cheese filling cook together in the slow cooker, finished with melted mozzarella.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Meal: Main Course
By: Melanie

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Food thermometer
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 8 oz cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese or dairy-free ricotta cheese
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 2 jars (24 oz each) pasta sauce
  • 3 cups water
  • 16 oz dry cavatappi
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or dairy-free mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Brown the beef in a skillet, breaking it up, and cook to 160°F. Drain excess fat. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, garlic, and parsley separately.
  • In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, layer 12 ounces of sauce, half the pasta, another 12 ounces of sauce, 1 1/2 cups water, and half the beef. Spread the cream cheese mixture over it.
  • Add the remaining pasta, sauce, water, and beef. Cover and cook on low, checking after 2 hours; allow about 2–4 hours, depending on the appliance and pasta.
  • Stir once the pasta is tender. Add mozzarella, cover briefly to melt it, and serve when the casserole reaches 165°F.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 1003kcal | Carbohydrates: 81.6g | Protein: 58.1g | Fat: 48.2g | Fiber: 6.5g

Notes

Cooking time varies substantially by slow cooker. Contains wheat and dairy. The supplied document has conflicting total times; the 3-hour cook estimate here is a starting point, not a doneness test.
Estimated nutrition is for one of 6 equal portions. This is one-sixth of the full casserole, including two pounds of ground beef, a pound of dry pasta, all three cheeses and the sauce.
Cheese options: Choose the dairy-free cheese if needed, and check the other ingredients for your dietary needs. Nutrition shown uses the original dairy cheese; another product changes the estimate. Flavor, texture and melting can vary by product.
Storage: Refrigerate perishable portions in shallow, covered containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use cooked leftovers within 3–4 days. If reheating cooked leftovers, heat them to 165°F throughout.