Crock pot ground beef and noodles is an easy, budget-friendly meal the whole family will enjoy, with only about 15 minutes of prep. Like Mongolian beef noodles or ground beef stroganoff, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting, hands-off dinner.
I love slow cooker comfort food — there’s something wonderful about coming home to a hot, ready-to-serve meal. This recipe is one of my favorites: seasoned ground beef simmers in tomato sauce and broth all day, then tender egg noodles and a generous sprinkling of cheese finish it off. It’s simple, flavorful, and even picky eaters usually ask for seconds.
Why I love this recipe
- Only 15 minutes of prep; you can brown the meat the night before and add it to the slow cooker in the morning
- Rich, comforting flavor that develops as it cooks
- A hearty, satisfying main dish the whole family will enjoy
- Leftovers reheat well for quick lunches or another dinner
Ingredients
Simple pantry and fridge ingredients make this an easy, everyday meal.
- Ground beef
- Onion soup mix
- Yellow onion, diced
- Minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
- Egg noodles
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Step by step
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, then transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the onion soup mix, diced onion, garlic, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and beef broth. Stir everything to combine evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- About 30 minutes before serving (if cooking on low) or 15 minutes before serving (if cooking on high), stir in the egg noodles, replace the lid, and cook until the noodles are tender.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top, let it melt for a few minutes, then serve hot.
Variations
This recipe is flexible — swap ingredients to suit your pantry or tastes. A few ideas:
- Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef for a lighter option
- Stir in sour cream, cream cheese, or a splash of heavy cream for a creamier sauce
- Try different pasta shapes or replace egg noodles with your favorite noodle
- Add Worcestershire sauce, a brown gravy mix, or a can of cream of mushroom soup for extra depth
- Use Parmesan, mozzarella, or omit cheese altogether if you prefer
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Easy Crock Pot Ground Beef and Noodles
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- Author: Melissa Riker
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6
Description
A simple slow cooker dinner combining seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and egg noodles finished with melted cheddar. It’s warm, filling, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 16 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cups beef broth
- 16 ounce package egg noodles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain and add to the slow cooker.
- Add the onion soup mix, diced onion, garlic, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
- Add the egg noodles 30 minutes before serving on low or 15 minutes before serving on high, replace the lid, and cook until tender.
- Top with shredded cheddar and let it melt a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 4.3 g
- Sodium: 1555.5 mg
- Fat: 18.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 64.5 g
- Fiber: 4.3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 146.3 mg