Slow Cooker Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Beef Orecchiette
This slow cooker creamy sun-dried tomato beef orecchiette is the ultimate dump-and-go comfort food rich, cozy, and deeply flavorful with almost no hands-on work. A single creamy mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, beef broth, cream cheese, balsamic vinegar, and herbs is ladled over raw beef and dry pasta, then slowly transforms into a restaurant-style dinner while you go about your day.
Perfect for busy weeknights, cold evenings, or stress-free family dinners, this recipe delivers tender beef, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luxuriously creamy sauce without standing over the stove.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
One-bowl prep mix once, pour once, done
True slow cooker pasta recipe no boiling required
Hearty and filling protein-rich beef + pasta
Set-it-and-forget-it perfect for workdays
Comfort food made easy creamy, savory, and satisfying
Great for leftovers flavors deepen overnight
Time & Yield:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5–6 hours (LOW) or 2½–3 hours (HIGH)
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
2 lb beef stew meat, cut into chunks
12 oz dry orecchiette pasta
1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained & finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
8 oz cream cheese, cubed & softened
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Up to ½ cup water (if needed to loosen sauce)
Instructions:
Layer the base: Place raw beef chunks in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter dry orecchiette evenly over the top. Do not stir.
Make the creamy mixture: In a bowl, whisk together sun-dried tomatoes, beef broth, cream cheese, balsamic vinegar, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan.
Pour & cook: Ladle the mixture evenly over the beef and pasta. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3 hours, until beef is tender and pasta is cooked.
Stir & adjust: Stir well. Add water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
Serve hot: Finish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair with a simple green salad or arugula with lemon vinaigrette
Serve with crusty bread or baguette to soak up the sauce
