Slow cooker baked pasta is such an easy family friendly dinner idea. You don’t even have to boil the boil the pasta first, just layer it in and let it cook to cheesy perfection.
This dump and bake dinner recipe features layers of penne, cheese, sauce and pasta for a tasty and easy meal. The prep only takes a few minutes and the crockpot takes it from there.
You have a hearty hot meal waiting for your family when you are ready. They will think you went above and beyond, but really it will take you very little effort.
During the winter, we like hearty filling meals. There is just something about a good casserole or baked pasta that helps take the edge off a cold day.
I have been gravitating toward no boil pasta recipes lately. Chucking raw pasta in the pan means fewer dirty dishes and quicker prep.
So I thought it would be fun to do a crock pot twist on that theme. Slow cookers already have a moist cooking environment, so it is perfect for making sure the pasta softens nicely.
Making the pasta
Start by spraying your slow cooker insert with cooking spray. I used my casserole style crockpot, but any shape will work.
Add a little bit of marinara (or other tomato based pasta sauce) to the bottom of the insert. Then toss in about half of the raw pasta, making an even layer.
I used whole wheat penne for this batch and it worked well. Any pasta with holes or curly shapes should work.
If you want to try to use straight shapes, be careful to spread it out. There is less room for the liquid to surround shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine, so it increases the chance the pasta will stick together and you will have crunchy undercooked pieces.
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Now it’s time to make the filling. Combine a tub of cottage cheese with eggs and garlic salt. Distribute the cheese layer over the pasta.
Now add some browned meat if desired. We used Italian sausage, but hamburger, turkey or even ground venison would work.
You can also leave the meat out and make a vegetarian pasta. It will still be filling and delicious.
Now add the remaining pasta and sauce to the pot. Put a half cup of water into a jar and shake to get any remaining sauce.
Then pour it into the other jar and do the same. Add that saucy water to the insert and top with cheese.
Now all that is left to do is to cook it. Put the lid on and set your slow cooker on high for about 3 hours.
The sauce should be bubbly, the cheese should be melted, and the pasta should be cooked. Try pulling a noodle out to test to be sure.
If you can wait, let the pasta rest for ten minutes after it cooks to allow it to soak up any extra liquid. Then serve on its own or with garlic bread and a salad.
That’s it, I just know this is going to be a hit with your family and with you. It is such an easy way to get a tasty dinner on the table.
Slow Cooker Baked Penne
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage
- 24 oz. cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 48 oz. marinara sauce
- ½ cup water
- 16 oz. uncooked penne pasta or favorite shape
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown 1 lb. Italian sausage and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine 24 oz. cottage cheese, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Grease crockpot insert then layer a little marinara sauce in the bottom.
- Scatter half of the 16 oz. uncooked penne pasta over the sauce.
- Top with cottage cheese mixture and sausage. Then add remaining pasta.
- Top with remaining sauce. Then shake ½ cup water in the jars to get the remaining sauce out of the jars. Add to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 3 hours or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Let rest for 10 minutes and then enjoy.
Notes
Video
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I cooked my pasta on high for 2 hours, then low for 1 hour. I used 1 lb of cooked hamburger in place of the sausage. Also, next time I will add and additional 8 oz of sauce. Very good and will be making it for a crowd next month.
I am so glad you liked it!
Actually, scratch that last comment, I see now that I didn’t read carefully enough! ;{)
One typo though … in your narrative you say this should be cooked on high, and in the actual recipe, on low. I’m guessing high is correct?
Thank you for catching that, yes high is correct. I will get that fixed. I hope you enjoy the pasta!
Hey Carlee, this looks perfect for an easy-prep pot-luck meal. I notice, however, that your instructions don’t include at what point in the process (obviously, after some amount of cook time) you open it up to spread the grated cheese layer over the top. When do you do that?
This looks like a delicious and comforting meal!
It really is!
I need to start doing pasta in the slow cooker more. So much easier. This looks fabulous.
It saves on dirty pots too!