Description
Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty pasta dish that combines ground beef, cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, marinara sauce, and bowtie pasta cooked slowly to perfection. This comforting and delicious casserole-style meal is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pantry
- 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce, divided
- 1 (24 oz) jar filled with water
- 1 (16 oz) box bowtie pasta (uncooked)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Place ground beef in a large skillet and season with salt and pepper. Crumble and cook over medium heat until fully browned. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and well blended. Set aside.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker Base: Pour half of one jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread evenly to the edges.
- Layer Pasta and Sauce: Sprinkle half of the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly on top of the marinara sauce. Pour the remaining half jar of marinara sauce over the pasta.
- Add Water: Fill the empty marinara jar with water and pour half of it over the layers in the slow cooker.
- Add Beef and Cream Mixture: Sprinkle half of the browned ground beef over the pasta and sauce. Then spoon all of the cream cheese mixture on top in an even layer.
- Add Remaining Pasta and Marinara: Layer the remaining pasta on top, then pour the second full jar of marinara sauce over this pasta layer.
- Add Remaining Water and Beef: Gently pour the remaining half jar of water over the contents, then top with the rest of the cooked ground beef.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours 30 minutes. Check if the pasta is fully cooked; if not, continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
- Serve: Scoop portions from the slow cooker, making sure to include all layers of sauce, pasta, beef, and cheese for a rich and balanced bite.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the dish healthier.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the marinara sauce layers.
- For a creamier texture, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing.
- Bowtie pasta holds up well to slow cooking, but you can substitute with penne or rotini if desired.
- Make sure to stir carefully after cooking to avoid breaking the pasta too much.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
