This 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Kickoff Cheese Pasta is the kind of easy comfort food that disappears fast on a busy weekend, especially when everyone is hovering around the kitchen waiting for game time snacks. Using fusilli helps catch every bit of the tangy, creamy cheese sauce, and the slow cooker makes it especially handy when you want something hearty without standing over the stove for long.
Serve this rich pasta with simple sides that balance out the creaminess, like a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or a platter of fresh cut veggies. For a game day spread, it also fits right in beside meatballs, little sausages, garlic bread, or a bowl of fruit, and a sprinkle of extra shredded cheese on top never hurts.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Kickoff Cheese Pasta using Fusilli
Servings: 6
Ingredients
12 ounces fusilli pasta
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
2 1/2 cups milk
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker, then add the fusilli, shredded cheddar, cubed cream cheese, and milk.
2. Stir well so the pasta is evenly coated and the cream cheese is distributed throughout the cooker.
3. Cover and cook on low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Give the pasta one final stir, then serve hot straight from the slow cooker or spoon into a serving bowl.
Variations & Tips
For extra tang: Stir in a small spoonful of sour cream right before serving if your family likes a little more zip in the sauce. This is a nice trick when you want the pasta to taste a bit more like a party dip.
For picky eaters: Use mild cheddar instead of sharp cheddar for a softer cheese flavor. You can also reserve a little plain cooked pasta on the side before mixing in extra cheese if you are serving little ones who prefer milder foods.
To keep the sauce smooth: Stir once or twice during cooking, but not constantly, so the pasta cooks evenly and the cheese melts nicely without turning gluey. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of warm milk and stir before serving.
Make it heartier: Add cooked shredded chicken, browned ground beef, or sliced smoked sausage at the end of cooking for a more filling game day main dish. Just be sure any add-ins are fully cooked before they go into the slow cooker.
Best pasta choice: Fusilli is especially good here because all those little spirals hold onto the sauce so well, but rotini works in much the same way if that is what you have in the pantry. Keep an eye on the texture, since slow cooker times can vary a bit.