So good! We licked our plates clean for this one!
Slow cooker recipes offer convenience and deliciousness, and Slow Cooker Ground Beef Mostaccioli is no exception. This classic dish combines savory ground beef, aromatic vegetables, flavorful marinara sauce, and tender mostaccioli pasta, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. In this article, we’ll explore the step-by-step process to create this mouthwatering meal, along with tips, variations, and frequently asked questions.
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Ingredients:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Ground beef | 1 pound |
Onion, chopped | 1 medium |
Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
Green bell pepper, chopped | 1 |
Marinara sauce | 1 (24-ounce) jar |
Diced tomatoes | 1 (15-ounce) can |
Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon |
Dried basil | 1 teaspoon |
Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
Mostaccioli pasta, uncooked | 2 cups |
Shredded mozzarella cheese | 2 cups |
Grated Parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup |
Instructions:
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
- Cook Aromatics: Add 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 chopped green bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked beef. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Stir in 1 (24-ounce) jar of marinara sauce, 1 (15-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Add Pasta: After 4 hours, stir in 2 cups of uncooked mostaccioli pasta until well-coated with the sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
- Finish Cooking: Cover and cook on low for an additional 1 hour, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Hot: Once cooked, serve the Slow Cooker Ground Beef Mostaccioli hot and enjoy!