Slow Cooker Ground Beef & Egg Noodles
Serves: 6
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4–6 hours
Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef
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12 oz (340 g) wide egg noodles
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1 medium onion, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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2 carrots, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
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2 cups beef broth
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1–2 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
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Brown the beef: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
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Add vegetables: Add the onion, peppers, carrots, and garlic. Cook for about 3–4 minutes to soften them slightly.
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Fill the crockpot: Transfer the beef and vegetables to the slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
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Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have developed.
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Add the noodles: Stir in the wide egg noodles during the last 25–35 minutes of cooking. Keep an eye on them so they don’t become mushy.
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Finish: Once the noodles are tender, stir everything together. Add the fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning.
Tip: If you want the finished dish to look more like your first photo, use wide egg noodles, keep the sauce relatively thick, and don’t add too much broth. The noodles should be coated in the savory tomato-beef sauce rather than swimming in liquid.
Slow Cooker Ground Beef & Egg Noodles
This slow cooker ground beef and egg noodles recipe is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. Tender ground beef, hearty wide egg noodles, colorful vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce come together in the crockpot for an easy, satisfying family dinner.
If you love easy slow cooker recipes, ground beef recipes, and old-fashioned comfort food, this one deserves a place in your regular dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy crockpot dinner: Let the slow cooker do most of the work.
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Budget-friendly: Ground beef and egg noodles make this an affordable family meal.
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One-pot comfort food: Less cleanup and plenty of hearty flavor.
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Family-friendly: Mild, savory flavors that work well for both kids and adults.
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Make-ahead friendly: It reheats well for convenient lunches or leftovers.
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Loaded with vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, onions, and tomatoes add color, flavor, and texture.
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Perfect weeknight meal: Simple ingredients and minimal hands-on preparation.
Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef
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12 oz (340 g) wide egg noodles
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1 medium onion, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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2 carrots, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
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2 cups beef broth
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1–2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Slow Cooker Ground Beef & Egg Noodles
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Tip: Browning the beef first gives this crockpot ground beef recipe a deeper, richer flavor than adding raw beef directly to the slow cooker.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, red and green bell peppers, carrots, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, just until they begin to soften.
3. Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Transfer the browned beef and vegetables to the crockpot. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Stir until everything is evenly combined.
4. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
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LOW: 4–5 hours
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HIGH: 2–3 hours
Cook until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended together.
5. Add the Egg Noodles
Add the wide egg noodles during the final 25–35 minutes of cooking. Stir gently and cover again until the noodles are tender.
6. Finish and Serve
Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot with your favorite crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Best Tips for Perfect Crockpot Ground Beef & Noodles
Don’t add the noodles too early. Wide egg noodles can become overly soft if they cook for several hours. Adding them near the end helps keep them tender but firm.
Watch the liquid. You want a thick, savory sauce that coats the noodles rather than a soup-like consistency.
Use wide egg noodles. They have a wonderful texture and hold onto the beef and tomato sauce beautifully.
Brown the beef first. This extra step improves the flavor and also allows you to drain excess fat.
Add fresh parsley at the end. It brightens the rich, savory flavors and gives the finished dish a fresh appearance.
For extra richness: Stir in a small amount of grated Parmesan just before serving.
Variations
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Cheesy ground beef noodles: Add 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella during the last few minutes.
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Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
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More vegetables: Add mushrooms, zucchini, peas, or spinach.
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Creamy version: Stir in a little cream cheese or heavy cream near the end.
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Beef substitute: Ground turkey can be used for a lighter variation.
