Crockpot Cheesy Ranch Beef Pasta Ultimate
This Crockpot Cheesy Ranch Beef Pasta is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender ground beef, creamy ranch-infused sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, all effortlessly made in your slow cooker. Customize with your favorite variations for a guaranteed family favorite.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Crockpot (slow cooker)
- Large bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
- Pasta pot
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 pound pasta rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the browned beef mixture to your crockpot.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, ranch dressing mix, softened cream cheese, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and beef broth. Mix well until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the crockpot.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the crockpot.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For a richer flavor, add the cream cheese halfway through the cooking process. If the pasta is mushy, reduce the cooking time in the crockpot. To prevent the dish from drying out, add more beef broth as needed. Ground turkey or shredded chicken can be substituted for ground beef. Experiment with different cream soups like cream of celery or cream of cheddar. Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra vegetables. For a spicy kick, add a can of green chilies or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Crispy crumbled bacon makes a great topping.