Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, creamy casserole with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and colorful vegetables, baked to perfection in the slow cooker. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 290 minutes pairs ground beef, diced onion, diced bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 270 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place ground beef, diced onion, and diced bell pepper in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 1 hour, breaking up beef with a spoon until no longer pink.
  2. Step 2: Stir in frozen mixed vegetables, water, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Add elbow macaroni, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Stir until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until macaroni is tender and soup has thickened slightly.
  4. Step 4: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and dried basil, then cook on low for 10 more minutes until cheese is melted.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake take to make?

Total time is about 290 minutes (20 min prep + 270 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Cooker Beef and Vegetable Macaroni Bake?

American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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