Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Slumgullion is the kind of dinner I turn to when I want something hearty without a long grocery list. Ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni cook into a cozy, saucy pasta dinner with very little hands-on work.
I like this version because the beef and tomato base can simmer while I get on with the rest of the day. Then I add the macaroni near the end, so it stays tender instead of turning soft and mushy. As a result, this is a simple, budget-friendly dinner that works especially well on busy nights.
Slumgullion at a Glance
- Main ingredients: ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni
- Prep: about 15 minutes
- Slow cooker time: about 4 to 5 hours on LOW, plus the final pasta cooking time
- Serves: about 6
- Best for: easy family dinners, budget meals, and cold-weather comfort food
If you like this kind of old-fashioned beef-and-pasta dinner, save my Crockpot Goulash for another night. You may also like my One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker Dinner
- Only four main ingredients. You do not need a complicated pantry or a long shopping list.
- Mostly hands-off. After browning the beef and onion, the slow cooker does most of the work.
- Family-friendly flavor. The tomato-beef sauce and tender macaroni are mild, familiar, and filling.
- Easy to stretch. A little extra pasta or sauce can help feed a larger table.
- Great for leftovers. The flavors settle together nicely overnight, and reheating is simple.
The 4 Main Ingredients
Ground beef: I use 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef. Browning it first gives the dish better flavor and lets you drain excess grease before everything goes into the crockpot.
Yellow onion: One large diced onion adds sweetness and savory flavor as it softens in the tomato sauce.
Tomato sauce: Two 15-ounce cans give the beef enough sauce to simmer in and create the base for the macaroni.
Elbow macaroni: Elbows are a natural fit because they cook quickly and hold onto the meaty tomato sauce. Small shells or rotini can also work, but the cooking time may change slightly.
Salt, black pepper, and a little water are optional pantry basics for seasoning and adjusting the consistency.
How to Make Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Slumgullion
1. Brown the beef and onion
First, cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it into crumbles as it browns. Once no pink remains, drain off excess grease. Next, add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, just until it begins to soften.
2. Build the slow cooker base
Next, transfer the beef and onion to the slow cooker. Stir in the tomato sauce. Season lightly with salt and black pepper if using. For a looser, saucier result, add some of the optional water.
3. Let it slow cook
Then cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. During that time, the onion softens fully and the beef and tomato flavors come together.
4. Add the macaroni near the end
About 30 to 40 minutes before serving, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Make sure the noodles are mostly covered by the sauce. If the mixture looks too thick, add a splash of water so the pasta can cook evenly.
5. Finish on HIGH
Finally, cover and cook on HIGH for about 25 to 35 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Start checking early because slow cookers vary. The pasta should be tender but still hold its shape.
My Best Tips for Slow Cooker Pasta
- Do not add the macaroni at the beginning. It will absorb too much liquid and become overly soft.
- Check the pasta early. Some slow cookers run hotter than others, so begin checking around the 25-minute mark.
- Add liquid only as needed. You want enough sauce for the pasta to cook, but not so much that the finished dish turns watery.
- Taste after the pasta cooks. The sauce concentrates as it cooks, so final seasoning is best done right before serving.
Easy Variations
The basic version is intentionally simple. However, it is easy to change once you know your family likes it.
- Cheesy: Stir in shredded cheddar just before serving.
- More vegetables: Add diced bell pepper or finely chopped carrots with the onion.
- A little heat: Add crushed red pepper or hot sauce to the tomato sauce.
- Different protein: Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef.
- Different pasta: Try small shells or rotini and adjust the final cooking time as needed.
What to Serve With Slumgullion
This is filling enough to serve on its own. However, I usually like something simple on the side. Garlic bread, a green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed green beans all work well.
For another easy ground beef dinner, try Creamy Beef and Shells or Hamburger Supreme Casserole.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: The macaroni will absorb more sauce as it sits. I add a splash of water or broth before reheating gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing: You can freeze the finished dish, but pasta softens after thawing. For the best texture, freeze the beef-and-tomato base without the macaroni and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is slumgullion?
The name has long been used for inexpensive, hearty stews. In modern American home cooking, slumgullion often refers to a simple beef, tomato, and pasta dish similar to American goulash.
Can I put raw ground beef in the slow cooker?
I prefer browning it first. You get better flavor, and you can remove excess grease before it goes into the slow cooker.
Why did my macaroni turn mushy?
It was probably added too early or cooked too long. Add dry pasta only near the end and start checking it before the full cooking time is up.
Can I cook the pasta separately?
Yes. For more control over the texture, cook the macaroni separately until just tender. Then stir it into the hot beef-and-tomato mixture shortly before serving.
More Easy Ground Beef and Slow Cooker Recipes
- Crockpot Goulash Recipe
- One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
- Creamy Beef and Shells
- 15 Dump-and-Go Crockpot Meals
- Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Slumgullion
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80–90% lean
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 2 cans 15 ounces each tomato sauce
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt optional, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper optional, to taste
- 1 cup water optional, as needed for desired consistency
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until well browned and no pink remains, about 8–10 minutes. Carefully spoon off most of the excess grease.
- Soften the onion: Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
- Load the slow cooker: Transfer the beef and onion mixture into your slow cooker. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir everything together. If you prefer a saucier consistency, stir in up to 1 cup of water.
- Season and slow cook: Add salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours.
- Add the macaroni: About 30–40 minutes before serving, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Ensure the noodles are submerged in the liquid. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of extra water.
- Finish cooking: Cover and cook on HIGH for 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The slumgullion is ready when the macaroni is tender and fully cooked.
- Serve: Give the dish a final stir, adjust seasonings if necessary, and serve hot.
Notes
- Pasta Timing: Do not add the pasta at the beginning of the cooking time, or it will turn to mush.
- Variations: Feel free to stir in a handful of shredded cheddar cheese or a dash of Italian seasoning right before serving for extra flavor.
