Description
A hearty slow cooker dinner made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, vegetables, and a rich seasoned tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced, optional
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 15 ounces petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- Salt and black pepper to taste, optional
- Grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar for serving, optional
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef, sweet onion, and green bell pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the beef and cook until no pink remains and the vegetables soften.
- Drain the excess grease, then transfer the cooked beef mixture to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the minced garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and granulated sugar. Stir thoroughly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 2 to 4 hours.
- During the final hour, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
- Cover and continue cooking for 35 to 60 minutes, checking occasionally, until the macaroni reaches an al dente texture.
- Stir gently, adjust the salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot with optional cheese.
Notes
- Do not add the macaroni at the beginning because it may become mushy.
- Penne, ziti, or small shells can replace the elbow macaroni.
- A slow cooker with a sauté function can brown the beef and vegetables directly in the insert.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Add a splash of water, tomato sauce, or broth when reheating because the pasta absorbs liquid during storage.
- For better freezer texture, freeze the beef and tomato sauce without the macaroni.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 409
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 898
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 47
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 54