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Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 66 reviews

Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting one-pot meal that layers ground beef, creamy cheeses, marinara sauce, and bowtie pasta, all cooked slowly to perfection for a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef

Dairy

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup ricotta
  • 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Pantry

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce, divided
  • 1 (24 oz) jar filled with water
  • 1 (16 oz) box bowtie pasta (uncooked)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place ground beef in a large skillet and season with salt and pepper. Crumble and cook over medium heat until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain 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 until smooth and well incorporated. Set aside.
  3. Layer Sauce in Slow Cooker: Pour half a jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading it evenly to the edges.
  4. Add First Layer of Pasta & Sauce: Sprinkle half of the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly over the sauce, then pour the remaining half jar of marinara sauce on top of the pasta.
  5. Add Water: Fill the empty sauce jar with water and pour half of this water evenly over the pasta and sauce layer.
  6. Add Beef and Cream Mixture: Sprinkle half of the cooked ground beef evenly over the layer, then spoon the entire cream cheese mixture evenly over the beef layer.
  7. Add Remaining Pasta and Sauce: Layer the remaining pasta on top, then pour the second jar of marinara sauce over the pasta evenly.
  8. Add Remaining Water and Beef: Gently pour the remaining half jar of water over the top layer to ensure pasta cooks evenly. Finish with the remaining ground beef on the top.
  9. Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check if pasta is tender; if not, continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
  10. Add Cheese and Melt: Once the pasta is fully cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook on low for about 20 minutes or until the cheese melts completely.
  11. Serve: Scoop portions from the slow cooker making sure to include all layers for a balanced serving. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta.

Notes

  • Make sure to use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
  • If the pasta is not tender after the recommended cooking time, cook in 10-15 minute increments until done.
  • You can substitute marinara sauce with your favorite pasta sauce for variety.
  • Do not stir the pasta layers once assembled in the slow cooker to prevent pasta from getting mushy.
  • Using the empty sauce jar to measure water ensures proper proportions and even cooking.

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

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