Description
Million Dollar Pasta delivers creamy, cheesy comfort straight from your slow cooker, promising a luxurious dining experience. Hearty layers of noodles, savory meats, and rich cheeses create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (24 oz / 680 g) jar of marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
Instructions
- Boil pasta until slightly firm, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions, ensuring a perfect al dente texture that will prevent mushiness during slow cooking. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Create a luxurious sauce base by whisking cream cheese, ricotta, garlic powder, onion powder, and half the mozzarella until smooth and uniform. Incorporate marinara sauce, stirring until completely integrated.
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly coating interior with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. Establish an initial pasta layer across the bottom, then generously spread half the prepared sauce mixture.
- Construct a second layer by adding remaining pasta, followed by remaining sauce. Distribute remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the top, creating a decadent cheese blanket.
- Secure slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 3-4 hours, alternatively use high setting for 1.5-2 hours if time is limited. Cheese should become fully melted and sauce bubbling.
- Once cooking completes, gently fold ingredients to distribute melted cheese and sauce. Plate immediately while warm, serving this rich, creamy pasta dish that promises a gourmet experience.
Notes
- Undercook pasta strategically to maintain perfect texture during slow cooking, preventing mushiness while ensuring a delightful al dente consistency.
- Create a silky smooth sauce by thoroughly blending cream cheese and ricotta at room temperature, which helps eliminate lumps and achieve a creamy, luxurious base.
- Customize the dish by experimenting with different cheese combinations like fontina, provolone, or adding Italian sausage for extra flavor complexity.
- Reduce fat content by substituting low-fat cream cheese and part-skim mozzarella without compromising the rich, indulgent taste of the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 563
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 865 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 114 mg