3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pasta

This easy 3-ingredient slow cooker pasta is the perfect answer to busy weeknight dinners. With just uncooked pasta, your favorite pasta sauce, and shredded mozzarella, you can make a warm, cheesy comfort food meal with very little prep.

The slow cooker does most of the work, turning simple pantry staples into tender pasta coated in rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. It’s an affordable family dinner that works beautifully for weeknights, potlucks, casual gatherings, and days when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked short pasta, such as penne, rotini, ziti, or rigatoni
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pasta

1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker.
2. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce over the bottom. Add half of the uncooked pasta, followed by half of the remaining sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella.
3. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for about 2½ to 3½ hours, checking toward the earlier end of the cooking time because slow cookers can vary.
5. If the pasta looks too dry while cooking, add up to ½ cup of water, a little at a time, to help the pasta cook evenly.
6. Once the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly, gently stir everything together.
7. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker Pasta

• Only 3 ingredients: A simple recipe made with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.
• Easy weeknight dinner: Minimal preparation makes this ideal for busy evenings.
• Budget-friendly: Pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese create a satisfying meal without expensive ingredients.
• Family-friendly: The cheesy, saucy combination is familiar and comforting.
• Minimal cleanup: Everything cooks in one slow cooker.
• Easy to customize: Add cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or vegetables to make it a heartier meal.
• Great for gatherings: It can be served straight from the slow cooker for potlucks and casual family dinners.

Easy Variations

Add ground beef: Stir in cooked and drained ground beef for a hearty slow cooker beef pasta.

Add chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is an easy way to add protein.

Try different cheese: Replace some of the mozzarella with Italian-blend cheese, provolone, or cheddar for a different flavor.

Add vegetables: Stir in cooked broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra vegetables.

Use different pasta: Penne, rotini, ziti, and rigatoni are especially good because their shapes hold plenty of sauce.

Helpful Slow Cooker Pasta Tips

Choose short pasta rather than spaghetti or other long noodles because it cooks more evenly and is easier to layer.

Keep an eye on the pasta the first time you make this recipe. Slow cooker temperatures vary, and overcooked pasta can become soft quickly.

If the sauce looks too thick during cooking, add a small amount of water rather than adding a large quantity at once.

Serve the pasta soon after it becomes tender. Letting it sit in the slow cooker for too long can cause the pasta to absorb too much sauce.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Pasta

Serve this cheesy pasta with a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, steamed green beans, or sliced tomatoes. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls also make an easy side for soaking up the extra sauce.