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Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta dish, a creamy and cheesy pasta recipe.

Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta

A delightful blend of rich flavors and comforting textures with ground beef, marinara, and melted cheese perfect for family gatherings and meal-prepping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or vegetarian crumbles.
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Any tomato-based sauce can work.
  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta Cook according to package directions.
  • 2 cups shredded cheese Mozzarella or cheddar recommended.
  • 1 cup water Essential for moisture.
Seasonings
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • optional Italian seasoning Can substitute with fresh herbs.
  • optional garlic powder Can use fresh garlic.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s no longer pink.
  2. In your slow cooker, combine the browned beef, marinara sauce, water, and optional seasonings. Stir well.
  3. Gently fold in the bowtie pasta, ensuring it is well coated with the sauce.
Cooking
  1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 3 hours, or until the pasta is tender.
  2. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and cover to allow it to melt.
Final Adjustments
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
  2. Dish out generous servings into bowls and enjoy.

Notes

For a Mediterranean twist, add chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes. Customize with your favorite veggies like spinach or zucchini.