Description

A hearty, creamy slow cooker pasta dish that combines classic sloppy joe flavors with elbow macaroni. Designed specifically for meal prep, this high-protein meal reheats beautifully and improves in flavor over several days.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1 large yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz elbow macaroni
15 oz can tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet in the last 2 minutes of cooking to soften them slightly.
Transfer the meat and onion mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker insert.
Add dry elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. Check pasta at the 4-hour mark; it should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente).
Once pasta is cooked, stir in heavy cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken slightly, then divide into 6 equal servings. Cool to room temperature before sealing in containers.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta in the slow cooker as it will continue to absorb liquid and soften in the fridge. Browning the meat adds significant flavor depth. If the sauce is too thin, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth. For best meal prep results, ensure pasta is al dente when removed from the cooker.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4-5 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
Calories: 450
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 800
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25

Keywords: meal prep, slow cooker, sloppy joe pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, batch cooking, high protein lunch, crockpot recipes