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Irresistible Crockpot Cheesy Ranch Beef Pasta Shells Recipe

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Perfectly cooked pasta shells smothered in a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce, loaded with savory ground beef, and bursting with flavor. Comfort food at its finest, made easy with a crockpot.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 12 ounces pasta shells
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 packet (about 1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked (about 7-8 minutes). Drain any excess grease and transfer the beef to your crockpot.
  2. Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and milk, then stir in the ranch seasoning mix, melted butter, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
  3. Add cream cheese: Cut the softened cream cheese into smaller chunks and add it to the crockpot. Stir gently, but don’t worry if it doesn’t fully melt right away—it will blend as the dish cooks.
  4. Cook the pasta: Add the uncooked pasta shells to the crockpot and stir to coat them in the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 2-2.5 hours, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
  5. Stir in the cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Mix well until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and thick.
  6. Season and serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley or extra shredded cheese if desired.

Notes

[‘Don’t skip browning the beef to add depth of flavor.’, ‘Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother sauce.’, ‘Monitor the pasta to avoid overcooking.’, ‘Add cheese last to prevent it from becoming stringy or clumping.’, ‘Customize the seasoning to your taste.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, cheesy pasta, ranch beef, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/irresistible-crockpot-cheesy-ranch-beef-pasta-shells-recipe/