Description
Crock Pot Million Dollar Pasta combines pasta, creamy cheese, flavorful meat, and tomato sauce. A rich, easy-to-make comfort food that’s perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef (or turkey) with chopped onion and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Transfer the browned meat, onions, and garlic to the crock pot. Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add the dried pasta to the crock pot, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid. Stir to coat the pasta with the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, checking the pasta occasionally for doneness.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and cook for an additional 30 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
- If ricotta cheese isn’t available, cottage cheese or a mix of cream cheese and sour cream can be used as a substitute.
- For a vegetarian version, swap the meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used for dietary restrictions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Crock Pot Million Dollar Pasta, Slow Cooker Pasta, Creamy Pasta Recipe, Million Dollar Pasta, Easy Comfort Food, Pasta with Cheese and Meat