Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly simple yet irresistibly delicious Crockpot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole. This slow cooker marvel combines the hearty satisfaction of ground beef, the comforting embrace of tender penne pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and an abundance of gooey cheddar cheese into one phenomenal dish. It’s the ultimate comfort food that promises to be a crowd-pleaser for families and gatherings alike, delivering big on flavor with minimal effort.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole: Your New Family Favorite
Life can be hectic, and finding time to prepare a wholesome, delicious meal often feels like a daunting task. That’s where this Slow Cooker Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole comes to the rescue! This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a testament to the magic of slow cooking, allowing you to “set it and forget it” while your kitchen fills with tantalizing aromas. With just a few simple steps in the morning, you can return home to a hot, homemade meal that satisfies everyone around the table. The generous portions also mean you’ll likely have delicious leftovers, perfect for a quick lunch the next day or even a comforting breakfast!
Since its initial sharing in 2014, this recipe has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands, becoming a beloved staple in countless homes. Its enduring popularity speaks volumes about its effortless preparation and universally loved flavors. If you’re searching for an easy dinner recipe that consistently delights the entire family, look no further. We are big proponents of any meal that allows us to simply combine ingredients in the slow cooker and step away, freeing up valuable time for other activities. This cheesy pasta bake embodies that philosophy perfectly, making it one of our absolute favorite easy crockpot recipes.
Why This Slow Cooker Pasta and Beef Casserole Will Become Your Go-To Meal
This slow cooker pasta and beef casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a stress-free solution for delicious weeknight dinners. It brings together hearty ground beef, perfectly cooked penne, a savory tomato sauce, and an indulgent layer of melted cheddar cheese to create a deeply satisfying comfort food experience. The simplicity of its preparation means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying moments with loved ones or pursuing hobbies. Imagine coming home to the aroma of a home-cooked meal, ready to serve with minimal last-minute fuss. That’s the promise of this amazing dish.
Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Crockpot Casserole
Crafting this incredible casserole begins with a selection of readily available ingredients that combine to create a symphony of flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Canola Oil: Essential for browning the ground beef and onion, building the foundational flavors.
- Ground Beef: The star protein, offering a rich and meaty base. Choose your preferred lean-to-fat ratio.
- Chopped Onion: Adds a layer of aromatic sweetness and depth to the beef mixture.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami, it enhances the savory notes of the beef.
- Dry Mustard: Provides a subtle tang and warmth, complementing the beef and tomato flavors without overpowering them.
- Salt & Pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out the best in all ingredients.
- Garlic Powder: A convenient way to infuse a rich garlic flavor throughout the casserole.
- Onion Powder: Reinforces the onion flavor, ensuring a well-rounded aromatic profile.
- Tomato Sauce: Forms the luscious, tangy base of the sauce, coating every bite.
- Diced Tomatoes (in basil, garlic, and oregano): Adds chunky texture and a burst of herbaceous tomato flavor, making the sauce vibrant and fresh.
- Penne Pasta: The perfect shape for soaking up the rich sauce and holding onto the cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese: The crowning glory, melting into a golden, cheesy blanket that binds the casserole together. Freshly shredded cheddar melts best!
Essential Equipment for a Seamless Cooking Experience
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, having the right tools on hand can make the preparation even smoother and more enjoyable:
- Vegetable Chopper: A fantastic gadget for quickly and uniformly chopping onions and other vegetables, saving precious prep time.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements, ensuring consistent results every time.
- Large Skillet: Needed for browning the ground beef and sautéing the onion before transferring to the slow cooker. A spacious skillet allows for even browning.
- Mix n Chop: This handy tool is incredibly efficient for breaking up ground beef or sausage as it cooks, ensuring no large clumps and even browning. We swear by ours!
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): The star of the show! We highly recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting once the cooking time is complete. This feature is a game-changer, ensuring your dinner cooks perfectly without being overdone, and alleviates any stress about timing your return home.
- Pasta Pot: A large pot is necessary for boiling the penne pasta to al dente perfection before it joins the rich beef and tomato sauce.
We are confident that you will absolutely adore this Crock Pot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole. It has been a consistent family favorite and one of our top easy slow cooker recipes for many years, proving its worth over and over again.
Explore More Delicious Crockpot Casserole Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and comfort of slow cooker casseroles, we have plenty more to explore. These recipes are designed to save you time and deliver maximum flavor:
- Crockpot Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole: A fun and flavorful twist on a classic, perfect for a casual family meal.
- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole: Another cheesy pasta delight, this time featuring tender chicken.
- Crockpot Tater Tot Hamburger Casserole: A hearty, comforting bake that’s incredibly easy to assemble.
- Crockpot Tater Tot Chicken Casserole: A savory chicken casserole topped with crispy tater tots.
- Crockpot Mushroom Pasta Casserole: Earthy mushrooms combine with pasta for a rich vegetarian option.
- Crockpot Chicken Orzo Casserole: A lighter pasta casserole featuring small orzo pasta and chicken.
And don’t miss our full collection of slow cooker ground beef recipes for more inspiration!
Beyond Casseroles: A World of Recipes Awaits!
Do you love discovering new and exciting recipes? We invite you to explore more of our culinary creations. Dive into our extensive collection of copycat recipes to recreate restaurant favorites at home, indulge your sweet tooth with our delightful dessert recipes, and uncover even more fantastic Crockpot Recipes.
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Crock Pot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Mustard Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 16 oz Tomato Sauce
- 14. 5 oz Diced Tomatoes in basil garlic and oregano
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with your Mix n Chop or a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Transfer the browned beef to your Crockpot. Stir in the chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours. The longer cooking time on low allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the beef to become incredibly tender.
- Approximately 30 minutes before serving, cook the penne pasta on the stove top according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Stir the cooked and drained pasta into the beef and tomato mixture in the crockpot. Ensure the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
- Top the entire casserole with the shredded cheddar cheese. Replace the lid and let it sit for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Saucepan
- Large Skillet
- Mix n Chop (recommended)
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 216
Recipe originally shared in 2014, extensively updated for enhanced content and clarity in March 2020 and further revised in 2024.