Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Beef Pasta is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender beef stew meat cooked low and slow with garlic, beef broth, and Italian seasonings, finished with a creamy Parmesan sauce and served over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the ideal meal for a busy day, allowing the slow cooker to do all the work while developing rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasonings
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Flavorings
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the cubed beef stew meat until browned on all sides. This step locks in flavor and adds depth. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt. Add the beef broth to the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits, then pour this mixture into the slow cooker over the beef.
- Add Seasonings and Slow Cook: Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Finish the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce finishes, cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the slow cooker and stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy beef sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy beef pasta onto plates or into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
- To ensure the pasta doesn’t become mushy, add it to the slow cooker only at the end.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce though it will be less rich.
- If you want to prep ahead, brown the beef and assemble everything except pasta, then refrigerate. Cook the pasta fresh when ready to serve.
- Beef broth can be replaced with vegetable broth for a milder flavor, but the beef broth adds more depth.
