Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef

If your week has been week-ing (you know the kind—laundry mountains, emails multiplying like gremlins, and someone asking “what’s for dinner?” at 4:03 PM), Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef is about to save the day. This is the kind of meal that feels like you tried really hard… even though your slow cooker did most of the heavy lifting.

And because we’re using pantry-friendly ramen noodles plus hearty ground beef and crunchy veggies, it’s cozy, filling, and family-approved. Basically: comfort food that doesn’t require you to stand at the stove like a tired pioneer woman. Bless.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef

• It’s mostly hands-off. Brown the beef, dump, stir, walk away. (My favorite cooking technique: avoidance.)
• It’s a one-pot wonder. Fewer dishes = a happier you.
• It’s picky-eater friendly. The flavors are savory and slightly sweet, and the veggies soften into the sauce without getting weird.
• It feels “takeout-ish” in the best way. Like cozy ramen-shop vibes… but in yoga pants.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what’s going into your slow cooker magic pot:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 9 ounces slaw mix (about 4 cups)
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ⅓ cup low sodium tamari (or soy sauce)
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

To Add at the End

• 2 (3-ounce) packages ramen noodles (discard the flavor packets or save them for another use)

Quick note from my kitchen: I love slaw mix for recipes like this because it’s already chopped and ready. It’s basically “future me” helping “right now me,” and I respect that.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small chunks as it cooks. Brown it until no longer pink—about 5 minutes.

This step matters because browned beef = better flavor. Also, it keeps your slow cooker from becoming a “boiled beef situation,” and nobody wants that.

Step 2: Add Everything (Except the Noodles) to the Slow Cooker

Transfer the cooked ground beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add:

• slaw mix
• shredded carrots
• minced garlic
• tamari (or soy sauce)
• chicken stock
• brown sugar

Stir it all together until it looks like a cozy, veggie-packed sauce party.

Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover and cook:

• on HIGH for 2–3 hours, or
• on LOW for 4–6 hours,

…until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is bubbling.

Important: Don’t uncover during this time. Slow cookers are like toddlers—once you disturb them, everything takes longer.

Step 4: Add the Ramen at the End

Turn the slow cooker to HIGH (if it isn’t already). Add the ramen noodles and stir to submerge them in the sauce.

Cook for 5–15 minutes, just until the noodles are tender.

Serve immediately. Ramen noodles are dramatic and will keep soaking up liquid if you let them sit too long.

Easy Topping Ideas (Totally Optional, Totally Fun)

This dish is great as-is, but toppings make it feel extra special—like you didn’t throw it together between carpool and a meeting.

Try:

• sliced green onions
• sesame seeds
• sriracha or chili crisp
• a drizzle of sesame oil
• crushed peanuts or cashews
• a squeeze of lime

If your family is split between “spicy people” and “ketchup counts as spicy” people, just put toppings on the table and let everyone build their own bowl.

Cooking Tips From My Real-Life Kitchen

• Don’t overcook the noodles. Start checking at 5 minutes. Ramen goes from “perfect” to “mushy regret” fast.
• Use low sodium tamari/soy sauce if you can. Regular soy sauce can make things too salty, especially since ramen noodles bring saltiness too.
• Want more sauce? Add an extra ½ cup chicken stock before the noodles go in.
• Want a thicker sauce? Leave the lid off for the last 10 minutes (after noodles are done) only if needed. Usually it thickens naturally as the noodles soak things up.
• Garlic lovers: You can add one extra clove. I won’t tell anyone. (Except I just did.)

And if your sauce looks a little odd while it’s cooking? Don’t panic. Slow cookers are like magic shows—you don’t always understand what’s happening until the final reveal.

A Little Story From Me

This recipe became a favorite in my house on one of those weeks where I felt like I was doing twelve things at once and still forgetting something. I wanted something cozy but not complicated, and I had ground beef in the fridge and a bag of slaw mix that was giving me “use me or lose me” energy.

When I served it, the bowls came back empty. That’s the kind of kitchen win that feels like someone handing you a tiny trophy made of noodles and peace.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef

Your Next Cozy Dinner Win

There’s just something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Ramen Noodles with Ground Beef—it’s savory, satisfying, and the kind of meal that makes everyone pause mid-bite like, “Oh… this is GOOD.”

If you try it, make it your own with toppings and little tweaks. That’s the magic of cooking at home: it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to feed your people and make your day a little easier. And if it also makes you feel like a dinner superhero? Even better.

Keep the Cozy Bowl Streak Going

• If you loved the “dump, simmer, and swoon” vibe of this dinner, you’ll probably want to try Creamy Marry Me Chicken Ramen next—it’s just as comforting, with that rich, slurpable goodness that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
• Craving more noodle nights that don’t demand a million pots? Bookmark Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles for the next time you need something fast, saucy, and totally weeknight-friendly.
• If your slow cooker is already on the counter (and honestly, it deserves to stay there), you’ll love Crock Pot Crack Chicken—it’s creamy, comforting, and basically the definition of “everyone asks for seconds.”
• And for another hearty, cozy dinner with the same “feed-a-crowd” energy, check out Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans—a simple, satisfying classic for busy nights.

Before you go: if you made this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in your kitchen! Please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐—it helps other readers find the good stuff (and it totally makes my day).

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