Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Pasta Recipe
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender penne pasta cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines Italian-seasoned ingredients cooked to perfection in a slow cooker for a hassle-free and delicious meal.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta and Liquids
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: In the slow cooker, mix together the heavy cream, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Add pasta and cook: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the slow cooker and stir to ensure the pasta is evenly coated and submerged in the liquid mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, checking occasionally, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Incorporate spinach and cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in fresh spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the creamy sauce, creating a luscious texture.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the creamy Tuscan pasta into serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of herbal aroma and color. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can be used for extra richness; drain before chopping.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if using salted broth.
- This recipe can be doubled if you have a larger slow cooker.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: slow cooker pasta, creamy Tuscan pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy slow cooker dinner, sun-dried tomato pasta, spinach pasta, Italian slow cooker recipes