Make Ahead: Slow Cooker Beefy Layered Pasta Bake

serving of pasta bake with penne pasta and cheese on plate

Make Ahead: Slow Cooker Beefy Layered Pasta Bake

Only 6 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time needed for this family favorite recipe that's prepped ahead and ready in your slow cooker when you get home! Who wouldn't love this Slow Cooker Pasta Bake?!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 30

Servings

Calories 321kcal

Author Jennifer Draper

Equipment

Casserole Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound pasta (I used Pipe Rigate)
26 ounces jar spaghetti sauce
1 cup jarred alfredo sauce
2 cups chicken broth
3 oz fresh spinach (or sub frozen)
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or Italian blend)

Instructions

Brown ground beef in skillet over medium high heat until fully cooked. Drain any grease.
Add to slow cooker along with pasta, both sauces broth and spinach
Stir to combine well
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6, stirring occasionally if possible
Once cooked, stir well to combine, top with cheese and replace lid
Let heat until cheese is melted

Notes

To prep ahead:

brown ground beef in advance
additionally you can add all ingredients except cheese to a zipped bag and store in fridge for 3 days or freezer for 3 months
thaw before cooking

To Make in the Oven:

omit the chicken broth
Cook and drain the pasta, reducing cooking time by 2 minutes
Add to casserole dish and cook at 350 for 15-20 minutes then add cheese and cook until melted

Recipe Notes:

use a pasta sauce with no added cheese or meat, like tomato basil
use a pasta with pockets to hold sauce like penne or pipe rigate

Nutrition