This 4-ingredient slow cooker cavatappi is the kind of low-effort dinner that saves the day when work runs late and everyone is hungry at once. Using raw dry cavatappi right in the slow cooker keeps prep wonderfully simple, and the curly pasta shape does a great job of catching every bit of sauce and melted cheese for a cozy, family-friendly meal that feels a little fun for a National Tell a Joke Day dinner.
Serve this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, garlic bread, or simple roasted vegetables to round out the meal. If you want to stretch it a little further for bigger appetites, it also pairs nicely with rotisserie chicken, cooked Italian sausage, or a side of fruit for an easy weeknight table.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker National Tell a Joke Day Cavatappi
Servings: 6
Ingredients
16 ounces raw dry cavatappi pasta
Directions
1. Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker lightly with nonstick spray if desired for easier cleanup, then add the raw dry cavatappi, pasta sauce, and chicken broth. Stir well so the pasta is evenly coated and mostly submerged.
2. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking if you can, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
3. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy.
4. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella over the top, cover for 5 to 10 minutes until melted, then serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Make it heartier: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, browned ground beef, or sliced cooked sausage at the same time as the pasta sauce if you want a more filling one-pot dinner. Just keep the meat fully cooked before adding it to the slow cooker.
Swap the cheese: Mozzarella keeps things mild and kid-friendly, but an Italian blend, provolone, or a mix of mozzarella and parmesan will give the finished pasta a little more flavor.
Watch the timing: Slow cookers can vary quite a bit, and pasta can go from perfectly tender to overly soft faster than you might expect. Start checking around the 2-hour mark, especially if your slow cooker runs hot.
Use the right sauce consistency: If your pasta sauce is extra thick, you may need an extra splash of broth so the cavatappi cooks evenly. If it looks too soupy near the end, leave the lid slightly ajar for a few minutes before adding the last bit of cheese.
Great for busy nights: Measure the ingredients in the morning and keep them ready in the fridge or pantry, then assemble when you get home. Leftovers also reheat well with a small splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
