How to make: Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Provolone offers a similar texture and flavor at a lower cost

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Pecorino is often less expensive and adds a similar salty flavor

Brown and crumble ground beef (season with salt and pepper). Drain excess grease and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, minced garlic and parsley.

In the bottom of a 6 quart (or larger) oval slow cooker, add half a jar of spaghetti sauce.

Evenly layer half the box of the cavatappi pasta on top of sauce.

Pour remaining jar of spaghetti sauce over noodles.

Pour on half a jar of water.

Then layer half the cooked ground beef mixture over top.

Dollop the entire cream cheese mixture evenly as possible over the beef layer. Do not stir.

Evenly layer the rest of the cavatappi pasta on top of the cream cheese layer.

Top evenly with remaining jar of spaghetti sauce.

Pour another half jar of water on top of spaghetti sauce.

Finally, layer the rest of the cooked ground beef on top.

Cover and cook on low for about 2-3 hours. Note: Many slow cookers cook differently and some run very hot & some not so hot so check at two hours and go from there. It took just about 3 hours in mine.

Stir mixture and make sure pasta is fully cooked. If not, cover and allow to cook for another hour. Then evenly layer the top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.

Cover for a few additional minutes (until cheese is melted). Sprinkle with a little dried parsley for color (optional).

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens