Every culture that has been fortuitously struck by Italian culinary influence is lucky enough to have its very own version of hearty one-pot pasta wonders!
With names ranging from baked ziti to the simply dubbed "pasta bake," dishes in this realm are always simple, humble and absolutely scrumptious. The recipe below for slow cooker Cajun chicken alfredo is a deliciously innovative example of what happens when classic Italian food meets regional culinary influences.
Using a traditional cream base for the Alfredo sauce, the addition of a savory Cajun (Louisianian) spice mix adds a wonderfully complex kick to an already delightful medley of flavors. One of our favorite things about this recipe is that unlike many slow cooker recipes, you can cook your pasta directly in your slow cooker, leaving it to soak up the incredible flavors of the sauce as it cooks. Check out the video for the full guided instructions.
Slow cooker Cajun chicken Alfredo
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Total time: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup no-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces penne noodles
4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon lemon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
Parmesan cheese, for topping
Directions1. In a small bowl, make a slurry by mixing together cornstarch and water. Be sure there are no lumps. Pour the slurry into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the cream, chicken broth and penne pasta.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients from Cajun seasoning to green bell pepper. Pour mixture evenly over pasta.
3. Cook on high for 2 hours, 30 minutes.
4. Gently mix, top with Parmesan cheese and serve.
Pro tip: While you can find Cajun seasoning in the spices department at most supermarkets, it is often very expensive. We suggest making your own Cajun spice mix with this straightforward recipe from
All Recipes. This way, you can save the pennies and make a batch for future use at the same time!
Note: All slow cookers are a little bit different in temperature and calibration. This recipe was tested in Cooktop Cove's Test Kitchen using this slow cooker, which is available for purchase here. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which help support our website. 