Description

This Crockpot Cheesy Ranch Beef Pasta Shells recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make one-pot meal featuring tender ground beef simmered with creamy ranch-flavored cheese sauce and perfectly cooked pasta shells. Ideal for busy weeknights, this hearty dish delivers rich flavors with minimal prep and hands-off cooking using your slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauces

1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Cheeses

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta and Broth

12 oz medium pasta shells, uncooked
2 cups beef broth

Garnish

Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Brown the beef and aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef along with diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
Transfer to crockpot: Place the cooked beef mixture into the crockpot, spreading it out evenly as the base of the dish.
Add seasonings and liquids: Add the ranch seasoning packet, condensed cheddar cheese soup, milk, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, uncooked pasta shells, and beef broth into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine everything thoroughly.
Cook until tender: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom and to ensure even cooking. The pasta should be tender and the sauce creamy when done.
Season and garnish: Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a fresh, colorful garnish before serving.
Serve warm: Scoop portions onto plates or bowls and enjoy this rich, cheesy, and comforting meal piping hot straight from the crockpot.

Notes

Use medium pasta shells for best texture, but other short pasta like elbow macaroni can also work.
For a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of beef broth slightly or cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef while browning enhances flavor.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat easily.
Can add vegetables like chopped bell peppers or mushrooms during step 1 for extra nutrition.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: crockpot beef pasta, cheesy ranch pasta, slow cooker pasta shells, easy dinner recipe, beef and cheese pasta