Slow Cooker Cheesy Beef & Shells

🧀 Slow Cooker Cheesy Beef & Shells ("The Meltdown")

Nothing says comfort food like tender pasta shells, juicy beef, and a blanket of gooey melted cheese. This slow cooker version makes it super easy—just set it, forget it, and enjoy a family-style meal that feels like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house.

📝 Ingredients:

◾ 1 lb ground beef

◾ 1 onion, chopped

◾ 2 cloves garlic, minced

◾ 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

◾ 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

◾ 1 tsp dried oregano

◾ 1 tsp dried basil

◾ Salt & pepper, to taste

◾ 2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells

◾ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

◾ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

◾ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

👩‍🍳 Directions:

👉 In a skillet, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain excess fat.

👉 Add onion & garlic, cooking until softened.

👉 Transfer mixture to the slow cooker. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, & pepper.

👉 Cover & cook on LOW for 4–5 hours.

👉 About 30 minutes before serving, stir in uncooked pasta shells. Switch heat to HIGH and cook until pasta is tender.

👉 Stir in cheddar & mozzarella until melty and combined.

👉 Sprinkle Parmesan on top before serving.

✅ 3 Tips for Best Results:

1️⃣ Prevent mushy pasta → Add the pasta toward the end (last 30 minutes only). If you add it too soon, it will overcook.

2️⃣ Boost the flavor → Brown the beef well and let the onions caramelize slightly before adding to the slow cooker. This adds depth.

3️⃣ Cheese upgrade → For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese along with the shredded cheese.