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Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef and Orecchiette Pasta

farhanmohla
Slow Cooker Beef and Orecchiette Pasta

There are some dinners that just feel like a warm hug, and this Slow Cooker Beef and Orecchiette Pasta is definitely one of them. Honestly, I love recipes like this because they’re hearty, cozy, and don’t require me to spend the whole evening standing over the stove.

I usually make this when I’m craving something rich and comforting but still want a relatively simple dinner. The ground beef cooks slowly in a flavorful tomato sauce, while the little orecchiette pasta cups hold onto all that delicious sauce. Every bite is packed with savory beef and tomato flavor.

It’s also a great family meal. Serve it with some crusty garlic bread and a simple salad, and you have a complete dinner that everyone will want seconds of!

Ingredients

For the Beef Sauce

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, optional, to balance the tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Pasta

  • 12 oz (340 g) orecchiette pasta
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella, optional
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Step-by-Step Method

1. Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

2. Add the Onion and Garlic

Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

This quick step adds so much flavor to the finished sauce.

3. Prepare the Slow Cooker

Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker.

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Stir everything together well.

4. Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours.

The beef will become wonderfully tender and the tomato sauce will develop a deep, rich flavor.

5. Cook the Orecchiette

Cook the orecchiette pasta separately according to the package directions until al dente.

I usually recommend cooking it just until al dente because it will continue absorbing some of the sauce when combined with the beef mixture.

Drain the pasta well.

6. Combine Everything

Stir the cooked orecchiette into the slow cooker with the beef sauce.

Add the Parmesan cheese and stir gently until everything is evenly coated. If you like an extra cheesy pasta, sprinkle mozzarella over the top.

Cover for about 5–10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.

7. Garnish and Serve

Spoon the pasta into bowls and finish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley or basil.

Serve immediately while it’s hot and saucy.

Cooking Tips

  • Brown the beef first: This gives the dish a deeper, richer flavor and prevents the finished sauce from tasting flat.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta: Orecchiette can become soft quickly, so cook it separately until al dente.
  • Adjust the sauce: If the sauce becomes thicker than you like, stir in a little warm beef broth or reserved pasta water.
  • Add some heat: Red pepper flakes are perfect if you enjoy a slightly spicy pasta.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts much more smoothly and gives the dish a wonderful savory flavor.
  • Let it rest: Allowing the finished pasta to sit for a few minutes helps the sauce cling beautifully to the orecchiette.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve this pasta with something fresh and simple on the side. Here are a few ideas:

  • Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
  • Simple green salad
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Caesar salad
  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley

A warm piece of garlic bread is especially good for soaking up the leftover tomato and beef sauce!

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water before warming it. This helps loosen the sauce because the pasta absorbs quite a bit of liquid as it sits.

You can also freeze the beef sauce separately for up to about 3 months. For the best texture, cook fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve it.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving:

  • Calories: 520
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Beef and Orecchiette Pasta is exactly the kind of meal I love making for a cozy family dinner. The combination of savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, and Parmesan creates a comforting dish without requiring complicated ingredients.

Honestly, the best part is how easy it is to make. Once the beef sauce is cooking, you can get on with the rest of your day. When dinner time comes, simply cook the pasta, combine everything, and dinner is ready.

If you love hearty Italian-inspired comfort food, this one is definitely worth adding to your regular dinner rotation!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! Orecchiette is perfect because its little cups hold the sauce, but penne, shells, rigatoni, or rotini can also work well.

2. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely. Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef. The flavor will be a little lighter, but the tomato sauce and seasonings will still make it delicious.

3. Can I put uncooked pasta directly into the slow cooker?

It’s generally better to cook the pasta separately. Adding it too early can make the pasta overly soft and cause it to absorb too much of the sauce.

4. Can I make this recipe spicy?

Yes! Add extra red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a little hot Italian sausage along with the ground beef for more heat.

5. What cheese goes best with this pasta?

Parmesan is my favorite, but mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, or a little ricotta can also be delicious. A combination of Parmesan and mozzarella makes the dish especially cheesy and comforting.

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