Dump crushed tomatoes over raw ground sausage, together with 4 other ingredients, into slow cooker for a weekend feast that's the first thing I suggest

This slow cooker 6-ingredient Amish country sausage pasta is the kind of weekend comfort food I suggest first when friends ask for something easy but cozy. The method is as simple as it sounds: you literally dump crushed tomatoes over raw ground sausage in the slow cooker, add just four more pantry staples, and walk away. The result nods to the hearty, straightforward cooking you find in Amish country—minimal ingredients, long simmer, big flavor—while staying practical for a busy urban kitchen.

Serve this pasta straight from the slow cooker in warm bowls, topped with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a crack of black pepper. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness nicely, and a side of garlic bread or buttered toast is perfect for swiping up the sauce. If you enjoy wine, a medium-bodied red like Chianti or a simple table red pairs well, while sparkling water with lemon keeps it weeknight-friendly.

Servings: 6

1 1/2 pounds raw bulk pork sausage (mild or sweet, casings removed if linked)

12 ounces dry short pasta (such as rotini, penne, or shells)

Place the raw bulk sausage into the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Use clean hands or a spoon to break it up into large, loose chunks; it does not need to be browned first.

Scatter the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the raw sausage.

Sprinkle the dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the top. These, along with the sausage and tomatoes, make up your core six-ingredient base.

Open the can of crushed tomatoes and pour them directly over the sausage mixture in the slow cooker, fully covering the meat and aromatics. Do not stir; letting the tomatoes sit on top helps the sausage gently poach and flavor the sauce as it cooks.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the sausage is fully cooked through and the onions are very soft. During cooking, you can gently break the sausage into smaller pieces with a spoon if you prefer a finer texture.

About 30 minutes before serving, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. At this point, you have two options for the pasta: cook it separately on the stovetop or cook it directly in the slow cooker.

To cook the pasta separately (sturdier texture): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the dry pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, then stir the hot pasta into the slow cooker sauce. Let it sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb some of the sauce, then serve with grated Parmesan.

To cook the pasta in the slow cooker (one-pot method): Stir the sauce well, then add 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth or water to loosen it; the mixture should be quite saucy. Stir in the dry pasta, making sure it is mostly submerged. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is just tender. If the mixture looks too thick or the pasta isn’t fully submerged, add up to 1 more cup of broth or water as it cooks.

Once the pasta is tender, taste again for seasoning and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of good olive oil if you like.

You can easily adjust this slow cooker Amish-style pasta to suit your kitchen and preferences. For a leaner version, use turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork, keeping the same method of dumping crushed tomatoes directly over the raw meat. If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last 15 minutes of cooking, just before adding the pasta. To add more vegetables, tuck 1 to 2 cups of diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or baby spinach on top of the onions before you pour on the tomatoes; they will soften along with the sauce. For a touch of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. If you need to keep the dish dairy-free, simply skip the Parmesan or substitute a dairy-free hard cheese alternative. Food safety notes: Always start with fresh, cold sausage and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the slow cooker. Make sure your slow cooker is set to LOW or HIGH immediately after layering the ingredients so the sausage moves through the temperature “danger zone” (40°F to 140°F) as quickly as possible. Do not cook on a warm setting. The sausage should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C); if you’re unsure, you can check a larger piece with an instant-read thermometer. Avoid leaving the finished dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if your kitchen is very warm); refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers and use within 3 to 4 days, reheating until hot and steaming before serving.