Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

📝Shopping list

To make this delicious meal you will need:

• Browned ground beef*
• Canned corn
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Salsa
• Diced green chili - I used canned
• Taco seasoning* - premade or homemade both work
• Beef broth
• Ramen noodles - toss any seasoning packets, you be needing them!
• Shredded cheese - Mexican blend (optional, garnish) 
• Sour cream - (optional, garnish)

🔪Instructions

This delicious crowd-pleasing dinner involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check the manual for your slow cooker if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Browning Beef

Ground beef can be browned stove top in a large skillet. If you have a browning feature in your slow cooker, that works well too! 

I like to bulk-brown beef in my traditional crock pot. I freeze it in recipe-sized portions so that I always have some on hand for various slow cooker recipes. This prep step makes so many great slow cooker recipes a fraction of the work come assembly time. My kind of lazy!!

Regardless of how you cook it, be sure to drain all of the fat. 

Cooking

• 🍳 Add all ingredients to your greased slow cooker other than ramen and garnishes
• 🍳Stir to combine
• 🍳Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-4 hours
• 🍳About 15 minutes prior to serving, add dry ramen noodles to slow cooker
• 🍳Use a spoon to make sure the noodle cakes are fully covered by the sauce in your slow cooker
• 🍳Replace cover and allow to cook for an additional 15 minutes or so
• 🍳When noodles have softened, stir them fully into the sauce mixture. Don't over stir or the thick sauce will cause the noodles to break apart. 
• 🍳Optional - top with shredded cheese and replace lid just long enough for the cheese to melt.
• 🍳Serve promptly topped with sour cream (optional) 

🍽Serving ideas

This Slow Cooker Taco Ramen recipe is delicious served as is!  However, you can take it to the next level with some fun and flavorful toppings and sides such as:

Toppings

• Sliced green onions
• Shredded cheeses
• Sour cream or plain greek yogurt
• A squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Diced red bell pepper
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Freshly sliced jalapeños

Sides

• A crisp garden salad
• Tortilla chips
• Black bean soup
• Warm flower or corn tortillas

🔁Substitutions

1. Ground turkey or ground chicken can both be used in place of the ground beef in this slow cooker meal.  If you use either of them, they DO NOT need to be browned first.  
2. To keep this recipe fully vegetarian, substitute beef with two cans of black beans.  Replace beef broth with vegetable broth. 
3. For a dish dairy free, skip the cheese and sour cream.  
4. To dial up the spice, use a spicy taco seasoning and hot diced chili peppers. Additionally, you can top with red pepper flakes.
5. Looking to add in some additional veggies?  Matchstick carrots and diced bell peppers are great additions.  

💜Why You Will Love This Recipe

1. Super simple - This one pot meal is beyond easy to assemble!  Particularly if you brown the beef in the slow cooker! 
2. Economical - Ramen and ground beef are both a great value
3. Family friendly - even your picky eaters will devour this one!
4. Adjustable - Does your family love corn? Add some extra!  Are you fans of super spicy meals?  Dial it up by adding hot diced chilis or jalapeños.This one is easily adjustable to your liking! 
5. Flexible timing - Unlike cooking stove top, this dish can cook low and slow for several hours without being watched. Just add in the noodles and let them soften while you set your table.

Storing

Store your slow cooker beef ramen noodles recipe in an airtight container or zip top bag.  It will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.  Reheat and handle leftovers gently as the noodles may start to break apart.  

Your slow cooker ramen noodles can also be frozen.  They will last up to 4 months.  For best results, defrost fully in the refrigerator prior to gently heating in the microwave. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. Freezing leftovers of this taco pasta bake in meal-sized portions makes for easy reheat-and-eat weeknight meals.
2. Lean ground beef is always my preference for delicious slow cooker recipes like this.
3. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
5. The most important step is to always make sure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!!