Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Crock Pot Pasta

Delicious pasta dishes are only a crock pot away. While it is true that pasta can be a bit tricky in the crock pot, with a little knowledge you will soon be turning out perfect pasta. There are several ways you can do pasta when you use the crock pot, and it all depends on what recipe you decide to make.

Preparing Pasta Separately

In some recipes, it is recommended to cook your pasta completely before adding it to your recipe. Alternatively, your crock pot contents might be served on a bed of noodles. You may find this works well with stroganoff, roasted meats with sauces, and other similar recipes.

Some recipes may ask you to partially cook your pasta in boiling water until it is just barely tender. They then suggest adding the semi-cooked pasta to the crock pot for the last half hour or so of cooking. You may use this technique with dishes like chicken Alfredo, casseroles and other meals. This method allows the noodles to finish cooking in the crock pot, soaking up some of the flavors in the sauce.

Cooking your pasta separately is more work. Instead of just sitting down to your meal, you need to heat the water and spend the time cooking your pasta just right. This is one way to make sure you have perfect noodles every time. This will not work for every recipe, however.

Just Drop It In

Some recipes are written for uncooked pasta. These recipes are less work for you in the long run, though you will still need to add the pasta towards the end in most recipes. You could use this technique if you were making Chicken noodle soup, minestrone or ramen. For normal pasta, you will want to add it into the crock pot between 30 to 60 minutes before serving. If you are making ramen, 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient to cook the noodles on the high setting.

Some recipes require you put the pasta in at the beginning, with the other ingredients. Crockpot lasagna is one example. You can also make an incredible macaroni and cheese in the crock pot, but do not leave it for eight hours. This is a recipe that will be done somewhere between 90 minutes and 2 hours. You can also make baked ziti, stuffed pasta shells, and other similar dishes. Be sure to watch the time on these dishes. They probably will not take all day to cook, and you do not want to end up with mush instead of pasta.

So, pasta can easily be made in the crock pot. You just have to know which approach to take for the best results. Pasta is delicate, and should not be overcooked. Sometimes it takes two or three times to perfect a new recipe.

With a little practice, you will be making wonderful pasta for your family with your handy crock pot. You will be enjoying comforting, hot pasta that tastes terrific and your family will love.

Chicken soup is good for the body and the soul. There is something intangible about eating chicken soup that makes us feel better not only physically, but mentally as well. Feed it to your family on a regular basis. They will be healthier and happier.