Description
A creamy, cheesy, and hearty slow cooker pasta dish layered with ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and ricotta, perfect for an easy make-ahead meal that cooks while you relax.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
Dairy
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ricotta
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
Pantry
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce, divided
- 1 (24 oz) jar filled with water
- 1 (16 oz) box bowtie pasta
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Place the ground beef in a large skillet, season with salt and pepper, crumble and cook until fully browned. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
- Prepare the Cream Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
- Layer the Base Sauce: Pour half a jar of marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it evenly to the edges.
- Add the First Layer of Pasta and Sauce: Sprinkle half of the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly over the sauce, then pour the remaining half jar of marinara sauce over the pasta.
- Add Water: Fill the empty sauce jar with water, pour half of this water evenly over the contents in the slow cooker.
- Layer the Ground Beef and Cream Mixture: Sprinkle half of the cooked ground beef over the water layer, then evenly spoon the prepared cream cheese mixture on top.
- Second Pasta Layer and Sauce: Add the remaining pasta over the cream mixture and pour the second jar of marinara sauce over it.
- Finish with Water and Beef: Gently pour the remaining half jar of water over the second pasta layer, then add the remaining ground beef on top.
- Cook the Pasta: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check if the pasta is fully cooked; if not, continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Once pasta is tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Cover again and cook for about 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Scoop out portions making sure to get all the layers in each serving. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and improve texture.
- If marinara sauce is too thick, slightly thin it with water for better slow cooker layering.
- Bowtie pasta can be substituted with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
- For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheeses.
- Ensure the pasta is fully submerged in liquid layers for even cooking to avoid dry or undercooked pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
