Crockpot Beef and Macaroni (Easy One-Pot Comfort Dinner)
This Crockpot Beef and Macaroni is a classic comfort food made simple in the slow cooker. Rich tomato flavor, tender ground beef, and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni come together for an affordable, family-friendly meal. It’s the perfect easy crockpot dinner, ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Beef and Macaroni
- Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Hearty, filling, and kid-approved
- Great for leftovers and freezer meals
- No oven required
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups water
- 4 beef bouillon cubes
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 standard can)
- 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes (2 cans)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Crockpot Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef
In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef for 7–10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess grease and transfer the beef to the crockpot. - Build the Flavor Base
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, water, bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well to combine. - Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to fully develop. - Add the Pasta
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the elbow macaroni. Cover and continue cooking until the pasta is tender but not overcooked. - Finish with Cheese
Remove the bay leaves, then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. - Serve Immediately
Serve hot for the best texture and flavor—this prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
Helpful Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef and Macaroni
- Don’t add pasta too early – macaroni cooks fast and can become soft if overcooked
- Brown the beef first for better flavor and less grease
- Stir once or twice after adding the pasta to prevent sticking
- For extra richness, add a splash of milk with the cheese
- Leftovers thicken as they cool—add a little water when reheating
Storage & Meal Prep
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze without pasta for best texture; add fresh macaroni when reheating
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