Perfect Slow Cooker Beef and Cheese Pasta #slowcooker #beefrecipes

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Here’s a really simple meal to throw to together that’s pretty kid friendly too. It has ground beef, pasta, tons of flavor, cheese and spinach.

I felt like having some meaty pasta and decided to try it out in the slow cooker. Usually I’ll make the meat sauce and let the flavors marry once it sits in the fridge. The longer it sits, the better it gets so I figured this process could also be done in the slow cooker.

You’ll Need:

• 2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 15 oz. marinara sauce
• 15 oz. stewed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 10 oz. frozen spinach, cooked
• 1 lb. penne/rigatoni/bow tie pasta, cooked al dente
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Over medium high heat, brown the beef until cooked. Drain any fat
2. Remove beef and saute onions and garlic until onions are translucent
3. Transfer onions and beef to a slow cooker and pour in marinara sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, crumbled beef bouillon cubes and sugar
4. Stir to mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste
5. Cook for 6-8 hours on low
6. Cook the pasta till al dente, according to package instructions. Drain well and add cooked pasta, Parmesan and Mozzarella to the meat sauce and stir to combine
7. Cook on high for 30 minutes
8. Mix in cooked or raw spinach leaves and stir well
9. Dish and serve hot