Easy Italian Dinner for the Crock Pot
Transform weeknight dinners into a comforting Italian feast with this Easy Italian Dinner for the Crock Pot! Packed with hearty slices of Italian sausage, vibrant marinara sauce, and tender pasta, this one-pot wonder is slow-cooked to perfection, infusing every bite with rich, savory flavors. The recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep before your crock pot takes over, simmering a blend of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, and Italian seasoning for a satisfying base. Topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan, and finished with fresh basil for a fragrant garnish, this dish delivers classic Italian flavors with minimal effort. Perfect for busy families or lazy Sundays, this easy crock pot pasta recipe serves up to six and pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp green salad. A must-try for fans of Italian comfort food, it’s your new go-to slow cooker dinner!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, sliced or crumbled)
- 24 oz Marinara sauce
- 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 12 oz Uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and transfer the cooked sausage to the crock pot.
Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (with juices), chicken broth, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
Cover the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
After the cooking time, add the uncooked pasta to the crock pot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
Cover and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes on HIGH, or until the pasta is tender and cooked through, stirring once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking.
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Cover and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4570 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 240.4 g | 308% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.5 g | 548% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 608 mg | 203% | |
| Sodium | 12506 mg | 544% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 325.1 g | 118% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.6 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.1 g | ||
| Protein | 259.8 g | 520% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 4168 mg | 321% | |
| Iron | 17.4 mg | 97% | |
| Potassium | 3290 mg | 70% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
