This dish offers delightful versatility and pairs exquisitely with a crisp side salad drizzled with tangy vinaigrette. A serving of garlic bread or a crusty baguette would complement the creamy pasta perfectly, ideal for soaking up any leftover sauce. To add a splash of color and boost the nutrients, consider accompanying it with steamed broccoli or green beans. Complete this comforting meal with a glass of milk or your preferred warm drink.

This pasta features a rich, cheesy tomato sauce blended with ground beef and rotini. Enhance the heat with extra crushed red pepper, or omit it for a milder taste. For convenience, substitute the plain tomato sauce and seasonings with your favorite jarred pasta sauce.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

• Beef Stew Meat: Tender chunks that serve as the hearty protein base.
• Onion: Diced to provide a subtle, sweet, and savory foundation.
• Garlic: Minced to infuse the dish with robust aromatic flavor.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A rich, creamy base that adds depth and umami.
• Beef Broth: Enhances the savory profile with a deep, meaty flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes a luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce.
• Dried Basil: Offers a sweet, herbal note to balance the richness.
• Dried Oregano: Brings an earthy, slightly peppery flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and balance all flavors.
• Pasta (Penne or Your Favorite Shape): Acts as the comforting, starchy component that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty finish with a delightful cheesy texture.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish for a pop of color and a hint of fresh, herbal brightness.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First Step:

• Prepare the Beef Base: Combine the beef stew meat, diced onion, and minced garlic in your slow cooker.

Second Step:

• Mix the Sauce: In a separate bowl, blend the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, heavy cream, dried basil, and dried oregano. Pour this creamy mixture over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat evenly.

Third Step:

• Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and let everything cook on low heat until the beef is tender and infused with flavor.

Fourth Step:

• Cook the Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain and set aside.

Fifth Step:

• Combine and Season: Stir the cooked pasta into the slow cooker. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well coated with the creamy, cheesy sauce.

Sixth Step:

• Finish Cooking: Allow the dish to cook for an additional short period so the pasta can absorb the sauce and the flavors meld together perfectly.

Seventh Step:

• Serve: Dish out the creamy, hearty pasta while hot. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for an extra burst of color and fresh flavor.

Tips for Making Creamy Beef Pasta

1. Choose any short pasta like rotini, which excellently traps the sauce, or try cavatappi for a similar effect.
2. Use a deep skillet to accommodate the generous quantity this recipe yields.
3. Incorporate cheddar cheese at the end for optimal melting; avoid mozzarella to prevent a stringy texture, although cream cheese is a great substitute for added creaminess.
4. Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
5. Enhance flavors by sautéing diced bell pepper or carrots with the onion.
6. Simplify by using Italian seasoning instead of separate spices.
7. Consider adding mushrooms instead of meat for a vegetarian twist.
8. Easily halve this recipe to prepare a smaller serving.

Can You Freeze Creamy Beef and Shells Pasta? Absolutely, but here are a few tips to ensure your pasta remains delightful:

• Opt to freeze just the sauce and prepare fresh rotini on the day you serve the Creamy Beef Pasta.
• If you have leftovers, let them reach room temperature before reheating. Avoid over-stirring or trying to break up the pasta in a saucepan when frozen, as it may crumble.
• For meal prep or if you’re freezing this dish to give to someone, slightly undercook the pasta to just al dente. It will cook further and remain firm when reheated on the stovetop.

CREAMY BEEF AND SHELLS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Do I need to use ground beef? 

Not necessarily. Ground pork or turkey are great alternatives. 

What exactly is tomato sauce? Is it similar to passata? 

In the U.S., tomato sauce refers to a thick, smooth, and somewhat sweet tomato purée that is cooked down. Passata, on the other hand, is raw tomato purée. 

While you can substitute passata for tomato sauce, they are not exactly the same. What is heavy cream? 

Heavy cream, or heavy whipping cream, contains about 36-40% fat. For a lighter version, you can substitute with half and half or whole milk. 

Is this dish freezer-friendly? 

Yes, freeze leftovers in individual bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop for best results.

SAVE THIS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Beef Pasta

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 ounces pasta (penne or preferred type)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Place the beef stew meat, diced onion, and minced garlic into the slow cooker.

In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, heavy cream, dried basil, and dried oregano. Pour this mixture over the meat in the slow cooker and mix well.

Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender.

About 30 minutes before serving, boil the pasta as per package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.

Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, stirring to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the pasta to soak up the flavors.

Serve warm, topped with chopped parsley if using.