Name: Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 55 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pound 85/15 lean ground beef; 2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 3 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce; 1 pound dried uncooked cavatappi pasta; 1 cup tap water; 4 ounce cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated; 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 6 ounce part-skim low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded; Crushed red pepper (optional)

Slow Cooker Million Dollar Pasta

This slow cooker million dollar pasta is rich, cozy, and unapologetically indulgent. Savory beef and tomato sauce soak into the noodles, while the creamy cheese layer melts into a velvety, slightly tangy finish. Every bite tastes like baked ziti crossed with lasagna, but softer, saucier, and deeply comforting.

2 hr 15 min total 20 min prep 1 hr 55 min cook 8 623 cal

Instructions

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1 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef; cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, pepper, onion powder, and 3 teaspoons of the salt until well combined. Remove from heat.
2 Add beef mixture, spaghetti sauce, pasta, and water to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir until well combined and pasta is fully covered in liquid. Cover and cook on Low until most of the pasta is al dente, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
3 Meanwhile, stir together cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until mixture is smooth.
4 Dollop and spread cheese mixture evenly over pasta mixture. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
5 Cover and continue to cook on Low until pasta is tender and cheese is melted, about 25 minutes more.
6 Garnish with parsley and crushed red pepper, if desired. Recipe developed by Amanda Stanfield