Slow Cooker Pasta Kensington

This slow cooker 4-ingredient Pasta Kensington is an easy, old-fashioned comfort food dinner made with ground beef, onion, French onion soup, and pasta shells. The slow cooker does most of the work, turning a few simple ingredients into tender pasta coated in a rich, savory brown gravy.

If you love easy crockpot recipes, budget-friendly dinners, and hearty ground beef meals, this simple pasta recipe is an excellent choice for busy weeknights or a relaxed Sunday dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Pasta

• Only 4 simple ingredients
• Easy slow cooker dinner with minimal hands-on preparation
• Uses affordable pantry and refrigerator staples
• Rich, savory French onion flavor
• Hearty enough for a family dinner
• Great for busy weeknights and Sunday meals
• Easy to customize with mushrooms, butter, or sour cream
• Makes about 6 servings

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (10½ ounces) condensed French onion soup
• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 2 soup cans of water

Instructions

1. Brown the beef and onion:
   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until the beef is completely browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add everything to the slow cooker:
   Transfer the cooked beef and onion to the slow cooker. Stir in the condensed French onion soup and 2 soup cans of water until well combined.
3. Slow cook the beef mixture:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the beef and onion flavors to blend with the savory soup.
4. Add the pasta:
   Stir in the dry pasta shells. Cover and switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is tender and the liquid has thickened into a rich gravy.
5. Rest and serve:
   Give the pasta one final stir and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the savory gravy to settle around the pasta shells before serving.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Pasta

Add the pasta at the end:
For the best texture, don’t add the dry pasta at the beginning. Cooking it during the final stage helps prevent the shells from becoming overly soft.

Start checking early:
Slow cookers vary in temperature, so begin checking the pasta after about 25 minutes on HIGH. Stirring once or twice can help the shells cook evenly.

Make it richer:
For a more indulgent comfort food dinner, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter just before serving.

Add mushrooms:
Sliced mushrooms make an easy addition and pair especially well with the savory onion gravy.

Try a creamy version:
A spoonful of sour cream stirred in at the end can give this easy beef pasta recipe a creamy, tangy finish.

Make it for a crowd:
You can double the recipe for a family gathering or potluck, provided your slow cooker is large enough. Keep in mind that the pasta may need a few extra minutes to become tender.

What to Serve With Pasta Kensington

This hearty slow cooker pasta pairs well with simple side dishes such as:

• Buttered green beans
• Crisp green salad
• Stewed tomatoes
• Applesauce
• Simple fruit salad
• Warm dinner rolls
• Crusty bread

The bread is especially good for soaking up the extra savory beef gravy.

Recipe Benefits

Budget-friendly: Ground beef, pasta, onion, and condensed soup are simple ingredients that can create a filling family meal without a long shopping list.

Time-saving: Most of the cooking happens in the slow cooker, making this a convenient option when you want a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Family-friendly: Tender pasta and savory ground beef make this an approachable dinner that works well for both adults and children.

Easy to customize: Mushrooms, butter, sour cream, or additional vegetables can be added to change the texture and flavor without making the recipe complicated.

Great for leftovers: With six servings, this recipe can provide an easy lunch or another quick dinner the following day.