Ultimate Slow Cooker Cheesy Rigatoni - Easy Family Dinner

 

Comfort Food

Ultimate Slow Cooker Cheesy Rigatoni 🍝
The Easiest Family Dinner

Perfectly cooked pasta smothered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce and topped with a thick layer of golden, bubbly mozzarella. The slow cooker does all the hard work!

⏱️ Prep: 15 min 🔥 Cook: 2 hrs 👨‍👩‍👧 Serves: 6 ⭐ Level: Easy

There is nothing quite like coming home to the incredible aroma of garlic, herbs, and melting cheese. This slow cooker rigatoni is the definition of a dump-and-go dinner. No need to boil the pasta separately! The rigatoni cooks perfectly right inside the slow cooker, soaking up all that rich, creamy flavor before being blanketed in stretchy mozzarella.

6

Servings

2h 15m

Total Time

420

Cal / Serving

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Family Rating

🛒 Ingredients

The Base & Liquid

• 1 lb (450g) dry rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• Salt & black pepper to taste

The Cheese Mix

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or parmesan
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1

Combine Liquids & Spices:

In your slow cooker, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

2

Add the Pasta:

Stir in the uncooked dry rigatoni. Make sure the pasta is pushed down and completely submerged in the creamy liquid mixture so it cooks evenly.

3

Slow Cook:

Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours. Check occasionally toward the end. The pasta should be tender and have absorbed almost all of the liquid.

4

Stir in the Cheese:

Once the pasta is cooked, stir in half of your mozzarella and all of the cheddar cheese until beautifully melted and the sauce becomes rich and thick.

5

Melt the Top:

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta. Place the lid back on for 10-15 minutes until the top layer of cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve hot!

💡 Tips From My Personal Experience

• Do not overcook the pasta! Slow cookers vary in temperature, so check the pasta at the 1.5-hour mark to prevent it from getting mushy.
• If you want that crispy, golden-brown top (like in the photo), transfer your slow cooker insert (if oven-safe) to the oven and broil for 3-4 minutes.
• Want to add protein? Stir in cooked ground beef, shredded rotisserie chicken, or sliced Italian sausage during step 1.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different shape of pasta?

Absolutely. Penne, ziti, or even macaroni will work great. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as smaller pasta shapes might cook slightly faster.

My sauce looks too thin, what do I do?

If there is too much liquid left after the pasta is tender, simply leave the lid off for the last 15 minutes of cooking. The cheese will also help thicken it right up.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Because the heavy cream and cheese are the main components of this specific comfort dish, substituting them will drastically change the texture. For best results, stick to the original dairy ingredients.