I’m a big believer in this: If my kids are capable of doing it, I ask them do it.
How else will they learn to clean, cook, think, be responsible, work hard, and take care of me in my old age?
That’s why I asked Malachi, our 12-year old, to put this meal together one morning. Knowing it was as easy as “dump these ingredients into the crock pot, stir it up, turn it on, then run do your math lesson” it seemed like the right thing to do. He’s learning that cooking is simple, I’m getting help around the house, and it’s amazing how cooking a meal by himself makes him stand a few inches taller while everyone eats it up with many, “Wow, this is so good” compliments.
Or maybe the kid is literally growing taller. Well yeah. But we already knew that.
Here’s my little issue with crock pot meals that include pasta: If I have to cook the pasta ahead of time before adding it to the crock pot, what even is the point in using the crock pot? How does that save any time? It certainly dirties up more dishes. I am not okay with this.
Therefore I never make pasta dishes in the crock pot. (Nor do I have my children make them.)
But recently I did a little looking online to see how it might work to dump uncooked pasta into a crock pot. Might it cook along with the other ingredients? A little experimenting turned out this Simple 3-Cheese Crock Pot Pasta recipe, which is as easy as can be.
Now, this is a meatless meal. You’re more than welcome to stir cooked hamburger or cooked chicken into your crock pot. But then, of course, you’d have to cook the meat first, which means dirtying up another dish, and I refuse to take responsibility for making you do that. Also, you should know that my family full of carnivores ate this and never once asked, “Hey. Where’s the meat?” I think the three cheeses in this recipe make this hearty enough to keep everyone happy.
Simple 3-Cheese Crock Pot Pasta
- 2 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce (25-32 ounces each)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella, cheddar, or Colby jack cheese
- 1 pound UNCOOKED whole grain pasta, any shape
- Sea salt to taste
- Dump all ingredients into a crock pot and stir well.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours or until pasta is tender.
Serve this easy crock pot dish with a quick salad and steamed veggie. It’s as simple as can be. I don’t think I need to tell you that it’s delicious. This is a given. And now we know that we can dump uncooked pasta into the crock pot and turn out a great meal in just a few of effortless hours.
Here are more Simple Recipes you’ll love!
- Simple Baked Salmon and Asparagus
- Simple Crock Pot Chicken Soup with a Kick
- Simple Skillet Taco Pasta
- Last-Minute Lentil Chili
- Simple Sweet and Sour Baked Chicken Legs
- 20-Minute Taco Soup
- Simple Cheesy Baked Chicken
- Simple Creamy Chicken Stew in the Crock Pot
- Simple Italian Beef and Broccoli Skillet
- Simple Bacon Ranch Chicken
- Simple Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken
- Simple Taco Rice Dinner
- Simple Last Minute Nacho Plate
- Simple Chicken Cheeseballs with a Kick
- Simple Beanie Weanies
- Simple Crock Pot BBQ Spareribs
- Simple Pizza Chicken Bake
- Simple Italian Chicken and Green Bean Bake
- Last Minute Creamy Bacon Spaghetti
- Simple Hamburger Soup
- Simple Parmesan Broiled Fish
- Simple Overnight Saucy Crock Pot Chicken
- Simple 15-Minute Meal
- Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast
We’d love more of you to join Simple Meals! There are some exciting plans coming up!
Looks amazing! Do you think cottage cheese could be substituted for the ricotta?
I don’t know why that wouldn’t work – sounds great!
Could you use Alfredo sauce instead of red pasta sauce?
I’m not sure. That is cream based, so I’d be concerned that it might curdle in the crock pot. But it might be worth a try to see if it works! It would be yummy flavor!
I am pinning this one for Lent :) The boys will love this on our no-meat Fridays!
I discovered a way to cook the meat in the crockpot when my kitchen was being remodeled and I had no stove. I use crockpot liners for no mess clean up (Sooo worth the extra money) , spray the liner well with oil, add meat and cook on high for around two hours…then add the rest of your ingredients. This worked great with Italian turkey sausage, ground turkey, uncooked chicken chunks and even lean ground beef. I was able to make chili, tacos, spaghetti, pasta jambalaya, and even chicken alfredo all with no stove. I never tried to sear meat in my crockpot, but it should get hot enough to cook in a couple of hours. Granted, you have to be home to give it a stir occasionally, but other than that…easy peasy. One pot and no mess, if you use the liners. Just an FYI. :)
This sounds yummy! I printed it off and am looking forward to trying it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be a great weekend meal for us when we are out and about!
The crockpot is where I make all my mac and cheese! Almond milk, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese and dry pasta. Works like a charm!
My 3 year old son made this today! He added spinach because that is his favorite vegetable! I love that even he could do this with a little supervision from mama!
Wow! Another wonderful recipe I can’t wait to try! Thank you soooooo much!!
Also—I REALLY like the great s nse of humor God gave you. ??????
Hope you enjoy this dish, Kimberly! Thanks for reading!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)
Awwwww… those question marks we’re supposed to be laughing faces.