Slow Cooker Beef Pasta
A comforting, one-pot meal where tender beef and al dente pasta mingle in a rich, savory tomato sauce. Perfect for busy weekdays or a relaxed weekend dinner, this Italian-inspired dish is easy to assemble in the morning and ready to serve by dinnertime.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (6-8 quart capacity)
- Large Skillet: For browning the beef and sautéing aromatics.
- Knife & Cutting Board: For chopping onions and mincing garlic.
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring ingredients.
- Large Pot & Colander (Optional): If you prefer to parboil the pasta before adding.
Ingredients
- Beef & Seasonings:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Aromatics:
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- Sauce Components:
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a hint of heat
- 1 bay leaf
- Pasta & Garnish:
- 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or your favorite shape
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prep & Brown the Beef:
- Season the beef cubes generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the beef on all sides (about 5 minutes per batch) until browned. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In the same skillet (add a little extra oil if needed), sauté the chopped onion for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Transfer the onions and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Assemble the Sauce:
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
- Mix gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Slow Cook:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the beef is very tender.
- Add the Pasta:
- About 20–30 minutes before serving, stir in the pasta directly into the slow cooker, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Cover and continue cooking on high until the pasta is al dente (follow the timing recommended on your pasta package as needed).
- Finish & Serve:
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley.
- Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus time for searing)
- Cook Time:
- 6–7 hours on low or
- 3–4 hours on high (plus an additional 20–30 minutes for the pasta)
- Total Time: Approximately 6.5–7.5 hours on low (or 3.5–4.5 hours on high)
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta, Slow Cooker
- Method: Slow Cooking (with an optional searing step for enhanced flavor)
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired, American comfort food
- Diet: Hearty, Protein-Rich (use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version)
- Keywords
- slow cooker, beef, pasta, comfort food, hearty, Italian-inspired, dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, beef stew pasta
- Nutrition (Estimated per Serving, based on 8 servings)
- Serving Size: ~1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g (naturally occurring from tomatoes)
- Sodium: 800 mg (may vary depending on the broth and added salt)
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g (approximation)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Notes
Searing the Beef: Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker helps develop deeper flavors. However, you can skip this step if you're short on time.
Pasta Cooking: For a firmer texture, you may choose to cook the pasta separately and combine it with the sauce just before serving.
Thickening the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Customizations: Feel free to add other vegetables (like carrots or bell peppers) or adjust the herbs according to your taste.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the beef and sauce in the slow cooker in the morning, and add the pasta right before the meal for an easy, stress-free dinner.
Pasta Cooking: For a firmer texture, you may choose to cook the pasta separately and combine it with the sauce just before serving.
Thickening the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Customizations: Feel free to add other vegetables (like carrots or bell peppers) or adjust the herbs according to your taste.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the beef and sauce in the slow cooker in the morning, and add the pasta right before the meal for an easy, stress-free dinner.