Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Beef and Cheese Pasta

This recipe was born on one of those nights when the fridge was nearly empty, and energy was running low. All I had was ground beef, pasta, a jar of marinara, a bit of shredded cheese, and some cream cheese hiding in the back. I threw them in the slow cooker, crossed my fingers—and out came the cheesiest, coziest pasta dish that the whole family devoured. Now it’s our go-to lazy comfort meal!

🧀 Ingredients (5 Simple Ones!)

• 1 lb ground beef

• 3 cups uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni work great)

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce

• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

• 4 oz cream cheese (cubed)

🍲 Instructions

1. Brown the beef:
   In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.

2. Layer in the slow cooker:
   Add cooked beef, dry pasta, marinara sauce, cream cheese, and 2 cups of water to the slow cooker. Stir everything gently to combine.

3. Cook on LOW:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pasta is tender. Stir once or twice halfway through to prevent sticking.

4. Add shredded cheese:
   Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and cover for another 10–15 minutes, just until melted.

5. Serve & enjoy:
   Stir, scoop, and serve warm. Optional: garnish with fresh herbs or extra cheese if desired.

💡 Note: You can swap the pasta sauce with Alfredo for a creamy version, or add in frozen veggies to sneak in some greens!