Effortless Crockpot Pasta Recipe
Craving a comforting and flavorful pasta dish without the fuss? This Crockpot Pasta Recipe is family-friendly, budget-conscious, and perfect for busy weeknights, letting you come home to a hot, satisfying dinner.
Equipment
- 6-quart Crockpot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta rotini, penne, or your favorite shape
- 24 ounce pasta sauce marinara, tomato basil, or your preferred flavor
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage cooked and drained, or use browned ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 15 ounce diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Chop the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic. Cook and drain the ground beef or sausage, if using.
- In a 6-quart crockpot, combine the pasta, pasta sauce, cooked meat (if using), onion, garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), bell pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Pour in broth.
- Stir everything well to combine. Ensure the pasta is submerged in sauce and broth. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until pasta is tender. Stir about halfway through to ensure even cooking. Pasta should be al dente, not mushy.
- Stir in the mozzarella cheese until melted and well combined.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions: Use ground turkey, chicken, or omit meat for vegetarian option. Use homemade pasta sauce for richer flavor. Feel free to add extra vegetables or adjust pasta shape but watch cooking times.
Pro tips: Don't overcook pasta, add more veggies for nutrition, spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce, or try a creamy version with ricotta or cream cheese. Vegan and gluten-free variations available.