Put fresh spinach and pasta in the slow cooker with 4 other ingredients to make a meal so delicious your friends will be begging for more!
This Slow Cooker Spinach Pasta Primavera is a refreshing, vegetable-packed meal that defies the “heavy” reputation of many slow-cooker dishes. By layering the pasta on top of the vegetables and adding the spinach at the very end, you preserve the bright colors and textures of the produce while creating a light, silky Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a fantastic way to clear out the crisper drawer while serving a dinner that feels vibrant and fresh.
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Slow Cooker Spinach Pasta Primavera
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Uncooked short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells) | 8 oz (approx. 4 cups) |
| Vegetable or chicken broth | 3 cups |
| Fresh baby spinach | 3 cups |
| Heavy cream or half-and-half | 1 cup |
| Grated Parmesan cheese (divided) | 1 cup |
| Broccoli florets | 1 cup |
| Sliced carrots | 1 cup |
| Sliced bell peppers | 1 cup |
| Halved cherry tomatoes | 1 cup |
| Frozen peas | 1/2 cup |
| Olive oil or melted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Yellow onion, finely chopped | 1 small |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Dried basil | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Red pepper flakes | 1 pinch |
Directions:
Step 1: Prep and Layer Veggies: Lightly grease a 4/6-quart slow cooker. Add the onion, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, frozen peas, and cherry tomatoes to the bottom. Drizzle with the oil or butter, then add the garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
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Step 2: Add the Pasta: Pour the uncooked pasta over the vegetables in an even layer.
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Step 3: Whisk the Cream Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth, heavy cream, and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Gently pour this over the pasta until the noodles are mostly submerged. If they stick out too much, press them down lightly with a spoon.
Step 4: Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 2 1/2/3 hours. Start checking at the 2-hour mark—once the pasta is tender, it’s done. Give it one gentle stir halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heat distribution.
Step 5: Fold in Spinach: Once the pasta is ready, fold in the fresh baby spinach. The residual heat will wilt it in about 60 seconds. If the sauce looks too thick, stir in a tiny splash of extra broth.
Step 6: Finish and Serve: Taste for seasoning, then sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan on top. Let it sit on the Warm setting for 5/10 minutes to thicken. Serve immediately in warm bowls.
