An Easy Recipe

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.

Putting on the Kettle

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.

Making the pasta separately is more work than just using the crock pot. However, taking the time to boil your water and cook the pasta just right gives you perfect noodles when you need them. This technique is not appropriate for all recipes, however.

Cooking Pasta in the Crock Pot

Some recipes that you find for the crock pot call for uncooked pasta. They mean less work for you, though in most cases the pasta is still added in towards the end. This technique works well for homemade chicken noodle soup, ramen or goulash. Standard types of pasta should be added to your crock pot about half an hour to an hour before serving. If you are making a ramen soup, the thin noodles only take about 10 to 15 minutes to cook if your crock pot is on the high setting.

Finally, there are some recipes that tell you to put the pasta in right at the start. Lasagna is one crock pot dish that must have the noodles put in immediately. Macaroni and cheese is another. If you make this dish, do not expect to leave it cooking all day, however. Most mac and cheese recipes for the crock pot are done in 90 minutes to 2 hours, tops. Stuffed pasta shells and baked ziti are other pasta dishes for the crock pot that must have the pasta added at the beginning. Watch the clock when making this type of dish so your noodles do not get overdone. It will be mushy and shapeless if it cooks too long.

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.

Before you know it, you will be turning out delicious pasta meals for your family using your crock pot. Comfort food never tasted so good, or was so easy to make.

Chicken noodle soup can be made with all types of noodles. Fusilli, linguine, fettuccine, wide egg noodles and orzo are all fun to add to your soup. Alphabet noodles, wagon wheels and bow ties make a soup more fun. Pick some of your favorite noodles and add them next time!