Slow Cooker Baked Pasta

Delicious slow-cooker meaty pasta that will make your mouth water. It’s the easiest weekday meal, brown the meat to make the sauce then layer in a slow cooker. Cook for a couple of hours, hands off, then enjoy!

Craving a delicious, wholesome family dinner that requires minimal effort and time? Look no further than this slow-cooker meaty pasta dish! This simple slow cooker baked pasta packs in all the flavors of a restaurant-style pasta dinner in the comfort of your own home. With minimal prep time and a couple of hours to simmer in your slow cooker, you’ll be able to enjoy a hearty and wholesome meal that’s sure to make your mouth water.

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This tasty slow-cooker meal is an incredible all-rounder. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner with the family, or you’re planning a cozy night at home with friends, this dish is always a winning choice. Whip up a batch in the morning and let it simmer for a few hours. With a dish this hearty and comforting, you can be sure that everyone at the table will leave feeling utterly satisfied – and maybe even with a few leftovers in the freezer for another night. It’s a nice big batch dinner.

This pasta has a secret protein layer. I blend a 16oz container of small curd cottage cheese and layer it in the pasta. This adds a ton of protein. If you are hesitant about this step, I assure you that it doesn’t change the flavor. It’s like adding a layer of ricotta cheese. Another tip is to keep an eye on the pasta. It will cook on high for about 2 hours. You don’t want the pasta to overcook because it will get mushy. If you cook it on low, it’s going to cook in about 3-4 hours. If you don’t have a slow cooker, this can be baked in the oven. At 400 it will take about an hour. You should also give it an occasional stir.

INGREDIENTS

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• Ground beef – I like to go for a nice grass-fed good quality beef since this is the main ingredient
• Italian sausage – since I have little kids, I use a sweet Italian sausage. A spicy or combo would work too
• 2 jars of pasta sauce
• Italian seasoning
• 1 16oz container small curd cottage cheese
• 1 bag pasta – I like penne or rigatoni
• Mozarella or Italian blend cheese for topping

HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER MEATY PASTA

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• Start by browning the meat in a large skillet. Both the Italian sausage and ground beef. Season with salt. This should take about 10 minutes. Add the pasta sauce and give it a good stir and simmer.
• While the sauce is simmering, blend the cottage cheese. This helps it seamlessly blend into the sauce.
• Layer 1/3 of the sauce (eyeballed). Pour in the bag of pasta. Half of the remaining sauce, then the cottage cheese then the rest of the sauce.
• Cook on low for 2 hours (or less), checking around an hour 30 to make sure it doesn’t overcook. I keep it slightly al dente because it will still cook in the slow cooker even with the heat off. Once it’s cooked, give it a good stir.
• Top with mozzarella or Italian cheese blend and cover for a few minutes to get the cheese melted. Serve and enjoy. Store leftovers in the fridge for 5 days.

TIPS AND COMMON QUESTIONS FOR BAKED PASTA

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• Do I have to include the cottage cheese? This isn’t totally necessary, but it is a great protein addition.
• Keep an eye on the pasta towards the end. You do not want to overcook it.
• Vegetarian options? I would suggest using a plant-based meat substitute or skipping the meat altogether. Mushrooms would be a nice addition too.
• Can I sneak in some more vegetables? Absolutely, at the end, stirring through some spinach is a good way to get some greens. Give it a chop and the hot pasta will wilt the greens.

MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS

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• Crockpot Lasagna
• Shrimp Tacos
• Creamy Sausage Pasta