SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND BEEF

SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND BEEF

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Beef is one of those easy, classic ground beef slow cooker recipes that's great to whip up any time of year. Made with elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, and bacon for an 

added flair, you kids will love it too

COOKING TIME: 8 HRS

INGREDIENTS

 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained

 5 bacon strips, diced 

 1 large onion, diced 

 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced 

 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes – any flavor, or plain 

 1 can water (empty tomato can

 6 garlic cloves, chopped 

 1 (26-ounce) jar prepared pasta sauce 

 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni 

 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional

INSTRUCTIONS 

Use a 6-quart slow cooker

In a large skillet, brown the beef, bacon and onion all together until the meat is no longer pink

Drain well and plop into your slow cooker

Add everything else into the pot except for the pasta and cheese. Stir to combine

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or high for about 4

Stir in the raw pasta and cook on high for approximately 30 minutes, or until pasta is bitetender

Serve in a wide-mouthed bowl with a handful of cheese on each serving

EASY PIZZA CASSEROLE 

Easy Pizza Casserole is one of those slow cooker casserole recipes that both kids and adults will love. This slow cooker casserole has all the flavors of pizza, but it's made with pasta instead. This dish also packed with meat toppings, including Italian sausage, ground beef and pepperoni. It's a savory delight

 COOKING TIME: 4 HRS 

INGREDIENTS

 1 pound of ground Italian sausage, browned and drained

 ½ pound of ground beef, browned and drained 

 ½ large white onion, chopped 

 1 (8-ounce) box of short pasta (rigatoni, penne or ziti), cooked (but undercooked slightly

 3 (14-ounce) jars of pizza sauce

 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning 

 2 cloves garlic, chopped 

 1 (8-ounce) package of sliced pepperoni, placed between paper towels and microwaved for a few seconds to remove all the grease

 16 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large bowl mix all ingredients together except for the mozzarella cheese

Spray the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray

Layer the mixture alternately with the shredded mozzarella cheese (author did three layers, ending with the cheese on top

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 ½ to 4 hours. If cooked for longer than 4 hours or on HIGH it might burn

Serve with your favorite breadsticks and a side salad

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