Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta: A Creamy, Cheesy Comfort Food Favorite
Looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal that basically cooks itself? This Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta is a rich, creamy, ultra-cheesy dinner made with simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep. Whether you’re cooking for your family or feeding a hungry group, this slow cooker pasta recipe delivers million-dollar flavor—with a budget-friendly price tag.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta
There’s something irresistible about baked pasta—especially when it’s layered with beef, marinara, cream, and a dreamy mix of cheeses. This recipe takes all the best parts of a classic baked pasta dish and simplifies it with hands-off crockpot cooking.
✅ No boiling pasta
✅ No need to bake
✅ Family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and wildly delicious
If you’re searching for easy crockpot pasta recipes, creamy slow cooker meals, or cheesy comfort food ideas, this one’s about to become a staple in your kitchen.
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🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this slow cooker million dollar pasta:
1 lb ground beef
16 oz penne pasta (uncooked)
24 oz jar marinara sauce
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
> 💡 Tip: Use your favorite store-bought marinara or a homemade tomato sauce for extra flavor.
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🍝 How to Make Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
1. Prep the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. Mix the Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Cheese Blend
In a separate bowl, combine mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
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🧄 Layering in the Crockpot
Layer everything directly into your slow cooker. Here’s the order:
Half the cooked ground beef
Half of the uncooked pasta
Half of the sauce mixture
Half of the cheese mixture
Repeat the layers one more time.
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⏲️ Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook:
On LOW for 4–5 hours, or
On HIGH for 2–3 hours,
until the pasta is tender and the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
Give it a gentle stir before serving to mix all the cheesy, saucy goodness together.
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🥣 Time to Serve
Spoon the creamy pasta into bowls or plates, top with freshly chopped parsley, and enjoy every rich, cheesy bite.
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📋 Recipe Summary
Prep Time Cook Time Total Time Calories Servings
20 min 4–5 hrs (low) or 2–3 hrs (high) Up to 5 hrs 20 min ~500 kcal 6 servings
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👩🍳 Helpful Tips & Variations
Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or swap in spicy Italian sausage.
Vegetarian version: Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or cream for best texture.
Freezer tip: Assemble the pasta (uncooked) in a freezer-safe container without cooking. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before crockpot cooking.
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❤️ Why This Pasta Is Worth Every Bite
This million dollar pasta lives up to the name. It’s creamy without being heavy, cheesy without being greasy, and packed with rich, savory tomato-beef flavor. Plus, it saves time on busy nights while delivering all the comfort of a baked pasta dish—no oven needed.
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Ready to Dig In?
If you’ve been craving an easy, comforting dinner that feeds a crowd and satisfies every time, give this Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta a try. Your slow cooker—and your family—will thank you.