This is the ultimate comfort food mash-up! Combining steak and chicken in one creamy, cheesy pasta bake is a carnivore’s dream. By using the Crockpot, you ensure the meats are incredibly tender and the flavors meld together beautifully. This is a “set it and forget it” meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Here is a recipe for Crockpot Creamy Loaded Steak & Chicken Spaghetti Bake.
The Concept
We are building a rich, creamy, and protein-packed pasta dish.
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The Meats: Stew beef (or chuck steak) and chicken breasts are cooked low and slow until fork-tender.
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The Sauce: A creamy combination of cream soups, cream cheese, and seasonings creates a luscious base.
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The Pasta: Spaghetti is cooked separately and then stirred in at the end to absorb all that creamy goodness.
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The “Loaded” Topping: A layer of melted cheese and crispy bacon takes it over the top.
Ingredients
The Meat & Base:
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1 lb Stew Beef or Chuck Steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
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1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Chicken Soup
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1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
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8 oz Cream Cheese, softened and cubed
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1 cup Beef Broth
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1 packet (1 oz) Dry Italian Dressing Mix
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½ tsp Black Pepper
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½ tsp Garlic Powder
The Pasta & Toppings:
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12 oz Spaghetti, broken in half
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2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
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1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
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6 slices Bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
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Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Slow Cooker
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Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.
2. Add the Meats
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Place the stew beef and whole chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. (Keeping the chicken whole prevents it from overcooking and drying out.)
3. Make the Creamy Sauce
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, dry Italian dressing mix, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Stir in the cubed cream cheese. (It will melt as it cooks.)
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Pour the sauce mixture over the meats in the slow cooker.
4. Slow Cook
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Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The meats should be very tender.
5. Shred the Meat
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About 30 minutes before serving, carefully remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Shred them with two forks.
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Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
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Gently stir everything to combine, breaking up the stew beef if desired. The meat should be fall-apart tender.
6. Cook the Pasta
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While the meat is shredding, cook the spaghetti according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook until al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
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Drain well.
7. Combine and Top
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Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the slow cooker. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
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Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
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Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for about 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Garnish and Serve
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Turn off the slow cooker.
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Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and fresh parsley over the melted cheese.
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Serve hot directly from the crockpot or scoop into bowls.
Tips for Success
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Don’t Overcook the Chicken: By leaving the chicken breasts whole, they stay moist. Shredding them at the end ensures they don’t become dry and stringy from overcooking.
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Pasta Texture: Cook the spaghetti al dente. It will continue to soften slightly when mixed with the hot sauce in the slow cooker. If you prefer a very soft pasta, you can add it 30 minutes before the end and let it cook in the sauce, but watch it carefully so it doesn’t turn to mush.
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Thicker Sauce: If the sauce seems too thin at the end, you can stir in ½ cup of sour cream or an additional 4 oz of cream cheese. Let it sit uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
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Add Veggies: To add some color and nutrition, stir in a cup of frozen peas or a handful of fresh spinach along with the pasta. The residual heat will warm them through perfectly.
Variations
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Spicy Kick: Add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel) along with the soups.
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Mushroom Lovers: Add an 8 oz package of sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker with the meats.
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Different Cheeses: Try using a provolone or Monterey Jack blend for the topping.
Enjoy your incredibly creamy, meaty, and satisfying slow cooker dinner