My sister made this for our mom last year and now its the only thing she wants. Creamy cheesy and absolutely elegant for her day.

This slow cooker 5-ingredient spinach artichoke pasta is exactly the kind of thing I make for the women in my family when I want dinner to feel a little extra special without turning the kitchen upside down. It actually started as a Mother’s Day experiment—my sister made a version of this for our mom last year, and now it’s the only thing she requests for her day. It has all the cozy flavors of classic spinach artichoke dip but turned into a full, creamy, cheesy pasta dinner that basically makes itself in the slow cooker while you handle the rest of life. With just five ingredients and a hands-off method, it feels elegant enough for a celebration but easy enough for any busy weeknight.

Serve this creamy spinach artichoke pasta straight from the slow cooker with a simple green salad (I like mixed greens with a lemony vinaigrette) to balance the richness. Warm, crusty bread or garlic breadsticks are perfect for scooping up the extra sauce. For something a little more special, add a glass of chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon. If you want extra protein on the table, pair it with grilled or rotisserie chicken, or roasted shrimp. Finish with fresh cracked black pepper and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan at the table for a restaurant-style touch.

Servings: 6

12 oz dry rotini pasta

Salt and black pepper, to taste (optional, pantry staple)

Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil spray or a little butter to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

In a large bowl or directly in the slow cooker, stir together the Alfredo sauce, thawed and well-squeezed spinach, and drained quartered artichoke hearts until everything is evenly coated.

Stir in 1 cup of the shredded Italian cheese blend (or mozzarella), reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping later. Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed.

Add the dry rotini pasta to the slow cooker and gently fold it into the creamy spinach artichoke mixture, making sure all of the pasta is coated and mostly submerged in the sauce. If any pasta is completely dry, press it down into the sauce.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring once around the 1-hour mark. The exact time will depend on your slow cooker and the brand of pasta. The pasta is done when it is tender but still has a little bite (al dente) and the sauce is thick and creamy.

Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let it sit on WARM (or with the slow cooker turned off) for about 5 to 10 minutes, just until the cheese melts into a luscious, cheesy layer.

Right before serving, give the pasta a gentle stir, then dust the top with grated Parmesan for that elegant, restaurant-style finish. Taste and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt and black pepper if needed.

Serve the spinach artichoke pasta straight from the slow cooker, making sure each serving gets plenty of tender spinach, artichoke hearts, and extra sauce. Garnish with a little more Parmesan at the table if you’d like.

To keep this recipe truly 5-ingredient, stick to the main five: pasta, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo sauce, and shredded cheese. Everything else is optional. For extra protein, stir in 1 to 2 cups of cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced grilled chicken, or cooked Italian chicken sausage during the last 15 minutes of cooking so it warms through without drying out. If you like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you mix the sauce. For a slightly lighter version, use a light Alfredo sauce and part-skim cheese, and swap half the pasta for cooked spaghetti squash stirred in at the end. You can also use different pasta shapes like penne or shells; just keep an eye on the cook time, as some shapes soften faster. If you prefer fresh spinach, roughly chop 4 to 5 packed cups and stir it in during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking so it wilts but stays bright. For a fancier, holiday-ready feel, finish the pasta with a drizzle of good olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the richness. Food safety tips: Make sure the spinach is fully thawed and squeezed dry so it doesn’t water down the sauce and so it heats evenly. Keep the slow cooker covered as much as possible; every time you open the lid, heat escapes and can affect the cooking time. If you add cooked chicken or sausage, always start with fully cooked meat and add it near the end—do not rely on the slow cooker to bring raw meat to a safe temperature in this short cook time. Leftovers should be cooled within 2 hours, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and eaten within 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk or a spoonful of extra Alfredo sauce to keep it creamy.