Description
Crockpot Cheesy Ranch Beef Pasta Shells is the ultimate comfort food dinner made easy in your slow cooker. Creamy ranch-seasoned cheese sauce, ground beef, and pasta shells come together in one rich, hearty dish perfect for busy families. This easy crockpot pasta recipe is kid-friendly, meal-prep ready, and packed with bold cheesy flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
3 cups medium pasta shells
8 ounces cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
2 cups beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Add the cooked beef to a crockpot. Stir in beef broth, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.
3. Once the cream cheese is melted, stir in cheddar cheese and heavy cream. Continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes.
4. While the sauce is finishing, boil pasta shells until al dente. Drain and add them to the crockpot.
5. Stir everything together and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Garnish as desired.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the creamiest texture.
You can freeze the sauce base and add cooked pasta later for better texture.
Add a handful of chopped spinach or peas to sneak in some greens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg