Dump Uncooked Macaroni & Ground Beef in Your Slow Cooker for a Meal That Disappears Instantly!
When you need a comforting homemade dinner but don’t have much time for preparation, this Slow Cooker Macaroni & Ground Beef is the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. With just a handful of simple ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep, you can have a hearty, cheesy meal cooking in the slow cooker with almost no effort.
There’s no need to prepare the macaroni separately or spend a lot of time standing over the stove. The uncooked elbow macaroni cooks right in the slow cooker with the ground beef, marinara sauce, and beef broth, allowing all those flavors to come together into one delicious dish.
The melted cheddar cheese on top makes it even better, creating a rich, cheesy finish that makes every bite incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw ground beef
- 1 box (16 oz) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the raw ground beef directly into the slow cooker and break it apart slightly with a spoon or spatula.
- Pour the uncooked elbow macaroni directly over the ground beef, spreading it into an even layer.
- Add the marinara or pasta sauce, followed by the beef broth. Stir gently just enough to make sure the macaroni is mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours. Stir once halfway through cooking to break up the ground beef and help everything cook evenly.
- Continue cooking until the macaroni is tender, the ground beef is fully cooked, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy this easy, cheesy comfort-food dinner!
A Perfect Busy-Day Dinner
This recipe is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something filling without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. The combination of savory ground beef, tender macaroni, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted cheddar creates a familiar comfort-food taste that the whole family can enjoy.
It’s also an easy recipe to customize. You can add diced onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or even a little mozzarella for extra flavor and cheesiness. For a vegetable boost, chopped bell peppers or spinach can also be added.
Serve it straight from the slow cooker with garlic bread, a simple side salad, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Easy, Cheesy, and Practically Hands-Off
The biggest appeal of this recipe is its simplicity. Instead of cooking several components separately, everything comes together in one slow cooker. That means fewer dishes, less preparation, and more time to do whatever else you need to get done.
Once the macaroni is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly, give everything a good stir and serve it while it’s hot. Don’t be surprised if there are no leftovers!
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