Are you part of the 36% of Americans who cook their meals at home every day? If so, you've probably had those days when there is not enough inspiration. Luckily, there is something that you can always count on when nothing else sounds appetizing: pasta.
A good pasta recipe will not only get you out of that "what should I cook for dinner?" funk, but it will also satisfy all of your cravings and keep you full for hours. Keep reading for six mouthwatering slow cooker recipes with pasta that you are bound to love.
- Mac and Cheese Recipe
- A Vegan Pasta Recipe
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe
- Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
- Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Mac and Cheese Recipe
There is a reason why macaroni and cheese has a national day dedicated to it. It is cheesy, comforting, and effortless to make when prepared on a slow cooker. All you'll need for this recipe is:
- 1lb of uncooked Dagostino's penne rigate pasta
- 1 stick of melted butter
- 2 cans of evaporated milk
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 oz of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toasted panko crumbs
Instructions
First, grease your slow cooker and add all of the ingredients except for the panko crumbs. Put the slow cooker in the high setting and let the ingredients rest until the pasta is thoroughly cooked and the sauce is thick. This will take around two to three hours, but check it a few times to make sure the pasta does not overcook.
Once it is ready, garnish it with the toasted panko crumbs, serve, and enjoy!
A Vegan Pasta Recipe
The population of people who eat vegan or plant-based diets continues to grow, so here is one of the absolute best slow cooker recipes without animal byproducts. Here's what you'll need:
- 2 cups of water
- Dagostino's Rotini pasta
- 1/2 an onion (diced)
- 1 chopped green pepper and 1 chopped red pepper
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- 5 sliced mushrooms
- 3 cups of diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp of chopped basil
- 2 tbsp of chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Add all the ingredients except for the pasta, parsley, and basil to the slow cooker, and cook on the low setting for half an hour. Turn the setting to high, and cook till the onions start to soften (it will take about an hour and a half). When there are about 20 minutes left, add the pasta.
Check the pasta a few times to make sure it does not overcook. About 3-5 minutes before the pasta thoroughly cooks, add the basil and parsley. Serve, and enjoy!
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
If you are a fan of buffalo chicken and cheesy pasta, this is bound to become one of your favorite slow cooker recipes of all time. To make it, you will need these ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs of boneless chicken
- 3 cups of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp of powdered ranch dressing
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp of salt
- 1/8 tsp of pepper
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz of cream cheese
- 1 tbsp of corn starch and 1 tbsp of water
- 16 oz of Dagostino's small shell pasta
Instructions
Add the chicken, broth, seasonings, 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese into your slow cooker. Cover it and cook on high for 4 hours (or 8 on low). Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out, shred it using two forks and add the remaining buffalo sauce.
Set the chicken mixture aside. Whisk the corn starch and water together and put it in the slow cooker to mix with the now softened cheddar and cream cheese. Add the dry pasta and cooked chicken back into the mixture.
Cook for 30-60 minutes until the pasta is fully cooked. Stir 4 times during the process. Plate, and enjoy one of the best slow cooker chicken recipes out there!
Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna is one of the best pasta recipes, made even better with a slow cooker. All you'll need for this recipe is:
- 2 jars of your favorite marinara sauce
- 16 uncooked Dagostino's no-boil lasagna noodles
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 32 oz of ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped basil
Instructions
Add about 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the slow cooker (make sure to spread it evenly). Then, create one layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Add a layer of ricotta cheese to the pasta, and sprinkle about half a cup of mozzarella cheese and two tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
Add another layer of pasta on top of the cheese, and repeat the process until you run out of ingredients. Then, place the lid on the slow cooker and cook high for 3-4 hours or until the pasta noodles are tenderly cooked.
Serve, and sprinkle some of the chopped basil on top for a delicious and fresh garnish.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic, and it's even better in the slow cooker. To make this sublime dish, all you'll need is:
- 12 oz of Dagostino's spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup of panko bread crumbs
- 4 tsp of Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp of garlic powder
- 1 tsp of onion powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 jar of marinara sauce of your choice
- 1 tbsp of minced garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, panko bread crumbs, 2 tsp of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix with your hands and create small balls.
Add the marinara sauce, garlic, basil, and the rest of the Italian seasoning on a greased slow cooker, and place the formed meatballs on top. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
After the meat is cooked, transfer it to a separate plate. Add the spaghetti to the slow cooker, ensuring it is entirely covered by the sauce, and put the meatballs back on top.
Cover and cook for another 20 minutes or until the noodles are soft. Plate it, and enjoy! (Optional: you can garnish it with parmesan cheese and more basil).
Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
If you are craving a creamy and comforting pasta dish, this one is the one for you! You'll need:
- 12 oz Dagostino's fettuccine pasta
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 minced garlic cloves
Instructions
Preheat the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes. Melt the butter in a microwave, add it along with the garlic to the slow cooker. Insert the rest of the ingredients except for the pasta and cook for 2 hours.
Add the pasta to the cooked sauce making sure it is completely covered. Cook for another 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender and stir occasionally. Plate, and enjoy!
Ready to Make All of These Slow Cooker Recipes?
With these fantastic slow cooker recipes with pasta, you will never get stuck on what to eat for dinner. Whether you are looking for the cheesiest pasta recipe or a vegan one, this guide is full of inspiration to satisfy all of your cravings!
Need ingredients? Check out our homemade pasta shop!