Slow Cooker Garlic Beef Pasta Coming home to a warm, comforting meal like Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Beef Pasta is truly a treat, especially when the air is filled with its enticing aroma. This dish combines the heartiness of Midwestern cuisine with a hint of Italian charm, making it a perfect choice for family dinners. It’s simple to prepare—just set your slow cooker and let it work its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a meal that delights the senses.
Table of Contents
As always, I’ve made sure the ingredients list is great value for money so it ticks the boxes for a family friendly midweek meal too. And the best thing of all – no need for browning. Just stick everything in and let it do its thing until it’s ready for the noodles!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed slightly
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut against the grain into 4 pieces
- salt and pepper
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup reduced sodium beef broth
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 16 ounces pappardelle pasta
- Parmesan, ricotta, and parsley for topping
Instructions
- In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- Season the beef with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the tomatoes and broth over the beef and add the garlic from step one, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme.
- Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours. Discard the herbs and shred the beef in the pot using 2 forks.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, return to the pot, and add the sauce from the slow cooker. Increase the heat to high and cook, stirring, until the pasta and sauce are combined, about 1 minute.
- Divide among 8 bowls and top each with Parmesan, ricotta, and parsley. Serve hot!
Nutrition Facts
- Total Fat 6g
- 17%Cholesterol 51mg
- 12%Sodium 267.4mg
- 19%Total Carbohydrate 52.1g
- 15%Dietary Fiber 4.2g
- Sugars 6.6g
- 55%Protein 27.7g
- 10%Vitamin A 87.7µg
- 13%Vitamin C 11.4mg
- 26%Iron 4.7mg
- 16%Potassium 768.4mg
- 26%Phosphorus 320.9mg
Preparation of Ingredients
- I start by cutting 1 pound of beef stew meat into small pieces.
- Then, I chop 1 small onion and mince 4 cloves of garlic.
- These will make the dish taste great in the slow cooker.
Sauce Mixture
- For the sauce, I mix a 10.5-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup with 1 cup of beef broth and 1 cup of heavy cream.
- I add 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and dried oregano.
- Then, I pour it over the beef, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
Cooking Process
To cook the pasta, I set the slow cooker on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, I add 8 ounces of uncooked pasta and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. The last cooking stage takes around 10 to 15 minutes to get that creamy consistency. After everything has melded together, my one-pot pasta recipe is ready to serve
Cooking Tips for Perfect Pasta
To get perfect pasta, follow some key tips. Cook the pasta separately to keep its texture right. Choose al dente pasta, ready about 30 minutes before you serve. For creamier pasta, add a bit of heavy cream near the end. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of Parmesan or ricotta on top. Fresh parsley adds great flavor too. Cooking pasta in a slow cooker is easy. Just remember the right times and methods. You’ll get a delicious meal with perfect pasta every time.
Substituting Ingredients
This recipe is easy to change. I swap beef for chicken thighs for a lighter meal. I use vegetable broth and cream of celery soup for a vegetarian twist.
Other changes I make include:
- Using quinoa for a gluten-free choice.
- Swapping ricotta for cottage cheese for creaminess.
- Adding fresh veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Trying different pasta shapes like penne or fusilli.
Here are some choices:
Using lentils or chickpeas for protein and flavor.
- Adding mushrooms for a meaty taste.
- Trying tofu or tempeh for protein.
- Serving Suggestions for Your Pasta Dish
- When serving slow cooker pasta, how you present it matters a lot.
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