Description
Comfort meets convenience in this creamy slow cooker beef pasta, blending rich Italian flavors with effortless home cooking. Hearty beef melts into velvety sauce, creating a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth and delivers delicious simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats and Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Liquids and Canned Goods:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) pasta (penne or your favorite shape)
Seasonings:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Transfer beef stew meat, diced onion, and minced garlic into the slow cooker, creating a flavor-rich base for the dish.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, heavy cream, dried basil, and dried oregano in a separate bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Pour the herbed sauce over the meat mixture, gently stirring to ensure every piece is evenly coated and seasoned.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours, allowing the beef to become incredibly tender and absorb all the aromatic flavors.
- When meat is nearly finished, prepare pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and introduce it directly into the slow cooker with the succulent beef mixture.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper into the dish, folding gently to distribute seasonings and create a creamy consistency.
- Allow the pasta to simmer with the beef for an additional 10-15 minutes, enabling the ingredients to harmonize and develop a rich, cohesive flavor profile.
- Optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch, then serve the hearty pasta directly from the slow cooker while piping hot.
Notes
- Tenderize beef by selecting chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum flavor and softness.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty during long cooking.
- Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, healthier version without compromising creamy texture.
- Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers during the last hour of cooking to boost nutrition and introduce more depth to the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours and 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg