SLOW COOKER CHEESY PENNE
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Slow Cooker Cheesy Penne in a rich beefy tomato sauce is full of ground beef, tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese. It’s an easy Crock Pot comfort food recipe the whole family loves.
SLOW COOKER CHEESY PENNE
I browned the beef with the bacon and onions on the stove then transferred it along with the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker to finish cooking. There are about 5 minutes of hands-on time and the Crock-Pot does the rest.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Olive oil.
- Onion. I used sweet onion, but you can use white or red.
- Bacon bits.
- Ground beef.
- Salt.
- Garlic.
- Celery seeds.
- Ground pepper.
- Italian seasoning.
- Oregano.
- Pasta sauce. I used marinara sauce, but you can use tomato basil or anything with Italian seasoning that you like
- Tomatoes. I use Basil & Garlic petite diced tomato. However, it’s delicious with roasted tomatoes. As well, if you want more spice you could use Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Pasta. Instead of penne, you can use any short pasta like Rotini, cavatappi, or shells. When you’re cooking pasta in a slow cooker, you need to use substantial pasta. Spaghetti and angel hair will cook too fast and become mushy. Pasta in CrockPot has a softer texture. If you prefer pasta with a bite, you may not like this recipe.
- Mozzarella. I like a lot of cheese. Therefore, I put 2 cups in and 2 cups on top. If you prefer less cheese, I suggest putting 1 cup mixed in and 2 cups on top.
- Parmigiano.
- Extras. To make it creamier you can add 1 cup of cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, or cottage cheese.
METHOD FOR SLOW COOKER CHEESY PENNE
- In a skillet, over medium heat, warm oil and add onion and bacon bits. Cook until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Add the ground beef and the seasoning. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
- Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add the pasta sauce and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. Mix well.
- Add the uncooked pasta mix well
- Add 1 to 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
- Cook on high for 90 minutes mixing every 30 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmigiano.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
TIPS AND FAQ FOR SLOW COOKER CHEESY PENNE
If you don’t serve immediately, unplug the slow cooker. Even when left on low, it will continue to cook the pasta and will overcook.
HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?
Keep the leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
CAN I USE FRESH HERBS?
Serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or freshly grated cheese
CAN I USE PRE-SHREDDED CHEESE?
I never recommend using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in corn starch and other ingredients to prevent it from sticking and clumping together. We simply do not need those additives.
HOW CAN I SAVE TIME?
You can brown the hamburger meat earlier and refrigerate it. If you can plan ahead and batch cook hamburger or chicken when you’re making it for another meal, you can save a lot of time.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE PRODUCTS YOU USE?
Here are links to the slow cooker, bowls, etc
MORE TO LOVE AND MAKE!
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crockpot Green Chile Chicken
- Slow Cooker Creamy Buffalo Chicken
- Tipsy Italian Sausage Pasta
- Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken
- Stove Top Cajun Butter Chicken Bites
- Copycat Cajun Cafe Bourbon Chicken Bites
- Pasta Meatball Soup Recipe
- Skinny Turkey Meatball Tortellini Soup
- Beefy Tomato Soup Recipe
SLOW COOKER CHEESY PENNE
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or any vegetable oil
- ½ cup onions I like sweet but you can use white or red
- ¼ cup bacon bits
- 1 and ½ pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce your favorite
- 14.5 ounce can petite Basil & Garlic tomatoes diced, undrained
- 16 ounce box penne pasta uncooked
- 3 - 4 cups mozzarella shredded, divided
- ½ cup fresh Parmigiano grated
Instructions
- In a skillet, over medium heat, warm oil and add onion and bacon bits.
- Cook until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Add the ground beef and the seasoning. Cook until the meat is not pink.
- Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the pasta sauce and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. Mix well.
- Add the uncooked pasta mix well Add 1 to 2 cups of shredded mozzarella.
- Mix until all ingredients are well blended. Cook on high for 90 minutes mixing every 30 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmigiano.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately!
Nutrition
You can also find great recipes at Recipe Index or Weekend Potluck
This is the best thing to come home to after a long day!
This recipe is my son’s favorite kind of comfort food. Cheesy penne was a big success.
This came out reminding me of hamburger helper from when I was little! So yummy.