Servings: 6 to 8
If you are looking for the ultimate easy, creamy, and satisfying pasta dish that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Pasta Fairfax is exactly what you need. It features savory ground beef and penne pasta smothered in a rich, velvety tomato and cream cheese sauce. It is the perfect hands-off dinner for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal.
The magic of this recipe lies in the cream cheese. As it melts into the pasta sauce, it creates a thick, creamy, and tangy sauce that coats every piece of pasta beautifully. The ground beef adds a hearty, savory depth, making this dish a complete and satisfying meal.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe relies on the magic of the slow cooker. The ground beef and pasta sauce cook together gently, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. The cream cheese melts into the sauce, creating a rich, velvety texture without the need for a separate cream sauce. Cooking the pasta separately and adding it at the end ensures it stays perfectly al dente and doesn’t turn mushy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Directions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the pasta sauce and cubed cream cheese, then stir until the beef is evenly coated. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice, until the cream cheese melts into the sauce.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne in a pot of salted boiling water until just shy of al dente. Drain well.
- Stir the drained penne into the slow cooker mixture. Cover and cook on low for 20 to 30 minutes more, just until the pasta absorbs some sauce and everything is creamy and heated through. Stir gently and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Results
Use a good quality pasta sauce. Since this is a 4-ingredient recipe, the flavor of your pasta sauce really matters. Choose a brand you love for the best results.
Cube the cream cheese. Cutting the cream cheese into small cubes helps it melt more evenly into the sauce.
Cook the pasta al dente. Pull the penne off the heat when it still has a bit of a bite to it. It will continue to soften slightly while it sits in the warm sauce.
Stir gently. Once the pasta is added, stir gently to avoid breaking up the penne.
Watch the consistency. If the pasta absorbs too much sauce and looks dry, stir in a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen it up.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. Serve it with a simple green salad and crusty garlic bread for a complete meal.
Creamy, hearty, and completely hands-off, this Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Pasta Fairfax is a fantastic recipe to keep in your rotation for easy weeknight dinners.