Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta is a delicious and hearty dish that combines pasta, creamy cheeses, savory ground beef, and rich pasta sauce. This meal is perfect for busy families or anyone looking for an easy, comforting dinner option. Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you!
Why Make This Recipe
Making Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta is a great choice because it saves time and effort. With just a few ingredients, you can create a filling and flavorful meal that everyone will love. It’s also perfect for leftovers, making it a smart choice for meal prep.
How to Make Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion (about half a large onion)
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- 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
- 2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce (48 ounces total)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar of water
- 16 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Directions:
- Cook the 2 pounds of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any grease.
- Add 1 cup diced onion to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
- 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.
- Lightly spray the insert of a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add half of one of the 2 (24-ounce) jars of pasta sauce to the bottom.
- Layer half of the 16 ounces of uncooked cavatappi pasta on top of the pasta sauce, followed by the remaining half of the jar of sauce. Pour half of the 1 (24-ounce) jar of water over this.
- Next, add half of the ground beef mixture on top. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the ground beef until fully used.
- Add the remaining half of the uncooked pasta and the rest of the ground beef mixture on top. Finish with the second jar of pasta sauce and the rest of the water. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Stir the pasta together and evenly top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
How to Serve Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
Serve this dish straight from the crockpot for a cozy and comforting meal. You can garnish it with fresh parsley or additional Italian seasoning if you like. It goes well with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner.
How to Store Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you’d like to store it longer, you can freeze the pasta for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Tips to Make Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
- Use lean ground beef to make it healthier, or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrients.
- For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by using different types of pasta or cheese. Try penne or rotini instead of cavatappi, and mix it up with different cheeses like cheddar or provolone.
FAQs
Q: Can I use pre-cooked ground beef?
A: Yes, you can use pre-cooked ground beef to save time. Just add it to the crockpot without browning it first.
Q: Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! You can replace the ground beef with your favorite plant-based protein or omit it completely.
Q: Can I make this in a shorter time?
A: If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for about 1-2 hours instead of low. Just check to ensure the pasta is fully cooked before serving.
Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- 1 cup diced onion About half a large onion.
- Salt to taste Salt
- Ground black pepper to taste Ground black pepper
- 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
- 2 24-ounce jars pasta sauce 48 ounces total.
- 1 24-ounce jar water
- 16 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the 2 pounds of lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any grease.
- Add 1 cup diced onion to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
- 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.
Layering
- Lightly spray the insert of a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add half of one of the 2 (24-ounce) jars of pasta sauce to the bottom.
- Layer half of the 16 ounces of uncooked cavatappi pasta on top of the pasta sauce, followed by the remaining half of the jar of sauce.
- Pour half of the 1 (24-ounce) jar of water over this.
- Next, add half of the ground beef mixture on top. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the ground beef until fully used.
- Add the remaining half of the uncooked pasta and the rest of the ground beef mixture on top.
- Finish with the second jar of pasta sauce and the rest of the water. Do not stir.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Stir the pasta together and evenly top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella.
- Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
