Toss dry angel hair pasta nests in the crock and 3 other ingredients to get a meal so delicious your husband will be begging for more.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker poor man’s garlic noodle recipe is the kind of weeknight lifesaver I lean on when the day has completely gotten away from me. You literally toss dry angel hair pasta nests into the crock with just three other pantry staples, walk away, and come back to a big pot of buttery, garlicky noodles that taste like you fussed all afternoon. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and one of those humble, Midwestern-style “stretch it and feed everyone” meals that has your husband circling back for seconds (and usually thirds).

Serve these slow cooker garlic noodles straight from the crock on warm, with a big tossed salad or some steamed green beans to brighten up the plate. Garlic bread or simple buttered toast is wonderful for sopping up any extra buttery sauce. If you want to make it feel a little more special, sprinkle on some dried parsley or a pinch of red pepper flakes at the table. A side of rotisserie chicken, grilled sausages, or leftover roast makes this a complete, stick-to-your-ribs dinner without much extra effort.

Servings: 4

8 dry angel hair pasta nests (about 8 oz total)

Spray the inside of your slow cooker lightly with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup.

Arrange the dry angel hair pasta nests in a single layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap a bit, but try to keep them mostly flat so they cook evenly.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the chicken broth and minced garlic.

Pour the garlicky chicken broth gently over the dry pasta nests, making sure the nests are mostly submerged. Add a splash more broth or water if needed to just cover the pasta.

Dot the butter pieces evenly over the top of the pasta and broth so they melt down into the noodles as they cook.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Around the 45-minute mark, open the lid and gently stir, breaking up the nests as they soften. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.

Once the pasta is soft and most of the liquid is absorbed into a glossy, buttery garlic sauce, give everything a good stir from the bottom so no noodles stick. If it looks a bit dry, stir in a splash of warm water or broth; if it’s too saucy, let it sit on WARM for 5 to 10 minutes with the lid off.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if you like (the salted butter and broth usually provide enough salt). Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker, with extra melted butter or a sprinkle of dried herbs if your family enjoys them.

For extra richness, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese right before serving; it will melt into the buttery garlic sauce and make the noodles feel a little more dressed up. If you’re cooking for picky eaters, keep the garlic on the milder side at first (1 tablespoon), then let the grown-ups add garlic powder or red pepper flakes to their bowls. To make it vegetarian, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and keep everything else the same. For a protein boost, stir in leftover shredded chicken, diced ham, or browned ground beef or sausage during the last 15 minutes of cooking so it warms through without overcooking the pasta. You can also toss in a handful of frozen peas or corn at the very end for a pop of color and sweetness. If your slow cooker runs hot, check the noodles early at about 40 minutes so they don’t get mushy—every crock is a little different, so once you know your timing, this becomes an almost hands-off, go-to recipe.