There are some dishes that do not need a long ingredient list to earn a permanent place at the table, and this slow cooker 4-ingredient Pasta Windsor is one of them. It is the kind of hearty, practical supper that feels right at home at church potlucks, fall suppers, and family gatherings, with tender pasta tucked into a deep, savory sauce that tastes like it has been fussed over all day. Recipes like this remind me of the old typed cards and folded paper sheets so many of us tucked into kitchen drawers, simple little treasures passed hand to hand because they worked every single time.
Serve this with buttered green beans, a crisp lettuce salad, or a pan of warm garlic bread to catch every bit of sauce. If you are setting it out for a larger gathering, it also pairs nicely with applesauce, coleslaw, or a simple dish of roasted carrots, and a tray of bars or spice cake makes it feel like a proper Midwestern autumn meal.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Pasta Windsor
Servings: 6 to 8
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
8 ounces dry tubular pasta, such as rigatoni, ziti, or penne
Directions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Transfer the beef and onion mixture to the slow cooker and stir in the tomato sauce.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours so the flavors can meld and the sauce can deepen.
4. About 20 minutes before serving, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain well.
5. Stir the drained pasta into the sauce, cover, and let it sit on warm for 10 to 15 minutes so the pasta can absorb some of the flavor. Spoon into bowls and serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Cheesy Supper Version: If you want to stretch this toward a comfort-food casserole feel, stir in 1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar or mozzarella just before serving. It melts right into the hot pasta and gives the whole dish a creamier finish.
Use What Pasta You Have: Rigatoni, ziti, and penne all work nicely here. Just avoid very small pasta shapes, since the heartiness of this dish is part of its charm and the larger tubes hold the sauce best.
Make-Ahead Tip: The meat sauce can be cooked in the slow cooker ahead of time and refrigerated. When you are ready to serve, reheat the sauce, boil the pasta fresh, and stir it in just before the meal so the noodles do not become too soft.
Seasoning Help: If your family likes a little more flavor, add a pinch of black pepper, a spoonful of dried Italian seasoning, or a dusting of garlic powder along with the tomato sauce. The beauty of an old four-ingredient recipe is that it leaves room for a cook’s own hand.