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Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 78 reviews

Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta is a comforting, hearty pasta dish made easy with ground beef, a creamy cheese blend, pasta sauce, and cavatappi pasta, all slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. This recipe layers flavors and ingredients for a luscious, cheesy meal that requires minimal hands-on time but delivers maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion (about half a large onion)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Ground black pepper (to taste)

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning

Sauce and Pasta

  • 2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce (48 ounces total)
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar of water
  • 16 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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 the onion for 1-2 minutes, then season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from heat.
  2. Prepare the cream 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 thoroughly until smooth.
  3. Layer the slow cooker: Lightly spray the insert of a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Pour half of one jar (24 ounces) of pasta sauce into the bottom. Layer half of the uncooked 16 ounces cavatappi pasta on top of the sauce, then add the remaining half of the jar of pasta sauce. Pour half of the water jar (12 ounces) over the pasta sauce, then add half of the seasoned ground beef and onion mixture.
  4. Continue layering: Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the ground beef. Then add the remaining half of the uncooked pasta followed by the remaining half of the ground beef mixture. Pour on the second jar (24 ounces) of pasta sauce on top, then add the remaining half of the water jar. Do not stir the layers.
  5. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW setting of the slow cooker for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is cooked to your preferred tenderness.
  6. Melt the cheese: Stir the pasta gently to combine all layers. Sprinkle evenly 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

  • Use a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker for best results.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; check after 2 hours and adjust time as necessary.
  • For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cheeses and lean ground beef.
  • You can substitute cavatappi with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
  • This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days.

Keywords: Crockpot pasta, Million Dollar Pasta, slow cooker pasta, cheesy pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner

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