As a busy home cook, I’m always on the lookout for easy and delicious recipes that can be prepared with minimal effort. One of my go-to ingredients for quick and satisfying meals is ground beef, and I love using my trusty crockpot to create a variety of dishes.
From classic comfort foods like sloppy joes and goulash to more adventurous recipes like quinoa chili and enchilada casserole, the slow cooker is my secret weapon for transforming ground beef into mouthwatering meals.
In this article, I’ll share 11 favorite crockpot recipes that showcase the versatility of ground beef and make weeknight dinners a breeze.
1.Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 cup red wine (or chicken/beef broth)
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 lb dried spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion, and cook until translucent and sweet, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a slow cooker.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet and increase heat to high. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned. Cook in 2 batches if your skillet is not large enough. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Return the skillet to the stove, turn the heat down to medium, and add the red wine. Bring to a simmer and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
- To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- About 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just before al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot and add 2 1/2 – 3 cups of the Bolognese sauce, plus 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and coats the spaghetti.
- Serve the Spaghetti Bolognese immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender. Enjoy this rich and authentic Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese!
2. Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Slow cooker sloppy joes are a classic comfort food that’s easy to make at home. This recipe uses ground beef to create a flavorful, saucy filling that’s perfect for serving on soft buns.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened, 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded.
- Serve the sloppy joe mixture on toasted hamburger buns. Top with desired toppings like cheese, pickles, or onions.
Tips for the Best Sloppy Joes
- For a saucier consistency, add a bit more ketchup or Worcestershire sauce.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if desired.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or hot sauce for extra tang and heat.
- Freeze leftover sloppy joe filling for an easy future meal.
Slow cooker sloppy joes are a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The combination of savory beef, sweet and tangy sauce, and soft buns is hard to beat!
3. Slow Cooker Quinoa Chili
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Quinoa, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients:
- Chop the onion, red pepper, and garlic.
- Rinse and drain the quinoa.
- Cook Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker:
- Transfer the cooked ground beef to a slow cooker.
- Add the chopped onion, red pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, tomato paste, beef broth, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook in Slow Cooker:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the chili is cooked, stir in the rinsed and drained quinoa.
- Serve hot with your choice of toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, or tortilla chips.
Tips
- Quinoa Ratio: Adjust the amount of quinoa based on your desired consistency. For a thicker chili, use 1 cup of uncooked quinoa.
- Broth Adjustment: If the chili seems too thick, add more beef broth.
- Toppings: Experiment with different toppings to enhance the flavor of the chili. Some popular options include shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and tortilla chips.
This slow cooker quinoa chili is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for a cold winter day or any time you want a comforting dish. Enjoy
4. Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
This recipe for Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls is a hearty and comforting dish that features ground beef and rice wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and baked in a flavorful tomato sauce.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
- 1 egg
- 1 head green cabbage
Instructions
- Make the Tomato Sauce:
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the whole head of cabbage and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the outer leaves are softened.
- Remove the cabbage from the water and let cool slightly. Carefully peel off the leaves, trying to keep them intact.
- Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp of the chopped parsley, and the egg. Mix well.
- Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
- Place about 1/3 cup of the beef and rice filling onto the center of a cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll up tightly.
- Place the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in a baking dish. Pour the tomato sauce over the top.
- Bake the Cabbage Rolls:
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, until the cabbage is very tender.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 tbsp of chopped parsley over the top.
- Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls warm, with extra tomato sauce spooned over the top.
These Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. The combination of tender cabbage, savory beef and rice filling, and tangy tomato sauce is simply irresistible.
5. Slow-Cooked Enchilada Dinner
The Slow-Cooked Enchilada Dinner is a crockpot recipe that combines layers of flour tortillas, a spicy ground beef mixture, and cheese to create a hearty and flavorful enchilada casserole. The ground beef is cooked with onions, garlic, and spices, then layered with tortillas and cheese in the crockpot, where it slow cooks into a rich and creamy dish.
This recipe is perfect for a comforting and easy dinner, and can be customized with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, avocado, and cilantro. The slow cooker does most of the work, making this a convenient and delicious meal option.
6. Italian Meatball Subs
The Italian Meatball Subs recipe features meatballs made with a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, which are then simmered in the crockpot in a flavorful tomato sauce. The meatballs are made by mixing the ground beef and sausage with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings, creating a tender and juicy meatball.
Once cooked in the slow cooker, the meatballs are served on toasted Italian rolls, creating a hearty and satisfying sandwich. This recipe is perfect for a crowd-pleasing meal, as the meatballs can be kept warm in the crockpot and easily assembled into sandwiches as needed.
7. Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew
The Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew is a comforting and hearty slow cooker recipe that combines ground beef, cabbage, and beans in a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired broth. The ground beef is browned and then added to the crockpot along with diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cabbage, and a blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic.
As the stew simmers in the slow cooker, the flavors meld together, creating a rich and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner. This one-pot meal is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.
8. Slow-Cooker Spanish Rice
The Slow-Cooker Spanish Rice recipe is a one-pot meal that combines ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and Tex-Mex seasonings for a flavorful and easy dinner. The ground beef is browned and then added to the crockpot along with long-grain rice, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
As the dish cooks in the slow cooker, the rice absorbs the savory flavors of the beef and tomatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. This recipe is a great way to feed a crowd, as the slow cooker does most of the work, and it can be easily customized with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.
9. Easy Crockpot Taco Meat Recipe
The Easy Crockpot Taco Meat recipe is a simple and convenient way to prepare taco filling using ground beef. The ground beef is cooked in the slow cooker with taco seasoning and salsa, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a flavorful and tender taco meat.
This recipe is perfect for taco nights, as the crockpot does the work, and the taco meat can be easily scooped onto tortillas or taco shells and topped with your favorite taco toppings.
10. Crockpot Goulash Recipe
The Crockpot Goulash recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make ground beef and pasta dish that combines ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and seasonings in a slow cooker.
The ground beef is browned and then added to the crockpot along with the uncooked macaroni, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of spices like paprika, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce.
As the goulash cooks in the slow cooker, the pasta absorbs the flavors of the beef and tomatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner, as it can be easily customized with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese or sour cream.
11. Crockpot Cheesy Pasta & Beef Casserole
The Crockpot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make ground beef and pasta dish that combines ground beef, penne pasta, cheddar cheese, and a flavorful tomato sauce in a slow cooker.
The recipe is cooked on low heat, filling the kitchen with delightful aromas as the ingredients simmer together. The ground beef, onions, cheese, and pasta create a hearty and satisfying casserole that is perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
This dish is versatile and can be customized with additional toppings like scallions or bacon bits for extra flavor and texture.
