Slow Cooker Creamy Beef & Shells

Description

This comforting dish combines tender ground beef, rich tomato sauce, creamy texture, and perfectly cooked pasta shells. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal, perfect for busy days when you want something delicious without too much effort.

Ingredients

500 g (1 lb) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
2 cups medium pasta shells
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking the beef)

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef

Start by heating a pan over medium heat and add a little olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until it is fully browned. Break it apart with a spoon while cooking.
Once done, drain any excess fat. This step is important because it improves the flavor and prevents the dish from becoming greasy.

2. Prepare the Slow Cooker Base

Transfer the cooked beef to your slow cooker. Add:

chopped onion
minced garlic
marinara sauce
salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning

Mix everything together until well combined.

3. Slow Cook the Mixture

Cover and cook:

on LOW for 4–5 hours, or
on HIGH for 3–4 hours

During this time, the flavors will blend together beautifully, and the sauce will become rich and aromatic.

4. Cook the Pasta Separately

About 20 minutes before serving, cook the pasta shells in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions.
Make sure to cook them al dente (slightly firm), because they will soften more later when mixed with the sauce.

Drain and set aside.

5. Make It Creamy

Once the slow cooker mixture is ready:

Add the cooked pasta shells
Pour in the heavy cream
Add half of the shredded cheese

Stir everything gently until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce.

6. Add the Final Cheese Layer

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker again and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes, just until the cheese melts completely.

Tips for Best Results

Do not cook the pasta in the slow cooker from the beginning—it can become too soft and mushy.
You can customize the dish by adding vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or peas.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or chili flakes.
If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little milk to loosen it.

Final Result

You’ll get a rich, creamy, and hearty pasta dish with:

juicy seasoned beef
smooth and slightly tangy tomato cream sauce
perfectly tender pasta shells

It’s the perfect comfort food for lunch or dinner, and it’s even better the next day!