There is something mighty comforting about a supper that asks so little and gives back so much, and this slow cooker angel hair is just that kind of dish. Using broken dry pasta right in the crock, along with a handful of everyday pantry and refrigerator staples, makes a creamy, homey meal that feels like the sort of simple recipe sisters would pass back and forth on handwritten cards. It is practical, thrifty, and full of that old-fashioned Midwestern sense of making a good meal from what is already on hand.
This pasta is rich and satisfying all on its own, but it is especially nice with a crisp green salad, buttered green beans, or a plate of sliced tomatoes in the summertime. If you want to round it out for company, serve it with garlic toast or warm breadsticks and a little grated Parmesan at the table, along with iced tea or a light white wine.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sisters' Day Angel Hair
Servings: 6
Ingredients
8 ounces raw dry angel hair pasta, broken into shorter pieces
1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of a slow cooker. Spread the broken dry angel hair evenly across the bottom.
2. Pour the pasta sauce and chicken broth over the pasta, making sure the noodles are mostly covered. Scatter the cubed cream cheese over the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking once or twice near the end. Gently stir when the pasta has softened and the cream cheese begins to melt.
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce turns creamy and the pasta is tender. If it seems too thick, add a small splash of broth; if too thin, let it sit uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Spoon into bowls and serve hot, with extra Parmesan if you like.
Variations & Tips
Add cooked chicken: For a heartier supper, stir in 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Rotisserie chicken works especially well when you need something quick.
Use a different sauce: A roasted garlic, basil, or four-cheese pasta sauce changes the personality of the dish without adding any extra work. Pick one your family already loves and this recipe will feel new again.
Watch the timing closely: Angel hair cooks faster than sturdier pasta, and slow cookers can vary plenty from one kitchen to the next. Start checking early so the noodles stay tender instead of turning too soft.
Make it extra creamy: If your crowd likes a richer finish, add a few spoonfuls of sour cream at the end after turning off the heat. Stir gently and serve right away for the smoothest texture.
Break the pasta evenly: Try to snap the angel hair into pieces of similar length before adding it to the slow cooker. That helps it cook more evenly and makes serving much easier.