Description
Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty one-pot meal featuring layers of ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta. Perfectly cooked in a slow cooker, this comforting dish is ideal for busy days when you want a delicious, hands-off dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
Dairy
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Pantry
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce, divided
- 1 (16 oz) box bowtie pasta
- 1 (24 oz) jar water (used for layering)
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Place the ground beef in a large skillet and season with salt and pepper. Crumble the meat and cook over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease and set the beef aside.
- Prepare the cream mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Layer the sauce: Pour half of one jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Add pasta and sauce layers: Sprinkle half of the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly over the sauce. Pour the remaining half jar of marinara sauce over the pasta layer.
- Add water layer: Fill the empty marinara jar with water and pour half of it into the slow cooker over the pasta and sauce.
- Layer ground beef and cream mixture: Sprinkle half of the cooked ground beef evenly over the contents in the slow cooker. Then spoon the entire cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the beef.
- Repeat layers: Add the remaining uncooked pasta layer on top of the cream mixture, then pour the second full jar of marinara sauce over the pasta. Gently pour the remaining half jar of water over the top, and finish with the remaining ground beef.
- Cook the pasta: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 2 hours and 30 minutes. After this time, check if the pasta is tender. If not, continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
- Add cheese topping: Once the pasta is fully cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover the slow cooker again and cook until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
- Serve: Using a large spoon, scoop generous portions ensuring to include all the layers. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and fat in the dish.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing.
- If you prefer, substitute bowtie pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
- Be careful when pouring water; pour gently to avoid disturbing layers.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model; adjust accordingly.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim cheeses and low-fat sour cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
