Description

A creamy, savory one-pot pasta dish that combines ground beef, sloppy joe sauce, and cheddar cheese in a slow cooker for a stress-free, family-friendly weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sloppy joe sauce (e.g., Manwich)
8 oz elbow macaroni or shells
1 ½ cups water or beef broth
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Pinch of paprika
Dash of garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until beef is no longer pink and onions are soft. Break up meat with a spoon. Drain excess grease if desired.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add sloppy joe sauce, water (or broth), and seasonings. Stir to combine.
Add dry pasta to the slow cooker, ensuring it is fully submerged in the liquid. Add more water if needed.
Cover and cook on High for 2 to 3 hours, or until pasta is tender.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes to melt, then stir until creamy.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra cheese or parsley if desired.

Notes

Brown the meat for better flavor and texture. Stir cheese in off the heat to prevent graininess. If using turkey, add extra liquid as it absorbs more moisture. For freezer storage, freeze the meat sauce separately from the pasta.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 475
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 850
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: crockpot sloppy joe pasta, slow cooker pasta, easy dinner, family meals, one pot meal, ground beef recipes, weeknight dinner