Disclosure: This recipe is being shared as part of #NationalSlowCookerMonth. I received products from our sponsors for this event. As always, all opinions are my own.
Did you know January is National Slow Cooker Month? I didn't until
recently and I'm happy to be sharing some new slow cooker recipes this
week along with some of my blogger friends! Visit the bottom of this post for more slow cooker recipes. You can also check out all the slow cooker recipes on this blog.
This pasta sauce recipe is a favorite of mine. It's a recipe that I've been making for a while and I adapted it from here. It's always a favorite in our house and I like to serve it with my kids' favorite pasta shape - "bow ties" or farfalle, along with a side of green beans, broccoli, or a salad for a complete meal.
This pasta dish is a perfect meal for a chilly day and an easy weeknight dinner. Plus it's very kid-friendly, which is always a bonus around here and I know many people are always looking for dinners for their family to enjoy.
All you need to do is put the chicken, a jar of marinara, some garlic and onion, along with spices in the slow cooker. At the end you stir in some cream cheese and let it melt and heat through to add the creamy part to this sauce. You cook the pasta separately for this recipe.
Pasta dishes make an appearance on our menu about once per week because my whole family loves pasta meals. I try to switch it up from the usual spaghetti and meatballs with red sauce or macaroni and cheese so that my kids are exposed to different ways to enjoy one of their favorites. My kids are still learning to enjoy eating chicken, but this is a way that they generally like it.
If you are looking for meals, recipes, ideas, and resources for feeding your family with little kids, please don't forget to join my Facebook group: Feeding our Families & Raising Adventurous Eaters.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Sauce
ingredients:
- 1-1/2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 jar (24 oz.) marinara sauce
- 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, cubed
- 1 lb. of pasta, cooked to package directions
- minced fresh or dried parsley or chopped fresh basil, for serving, optional
instructions:
How to cook Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Sauce
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Place in the chicken breasts, onion, and garlic. Sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Add the Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and marinara.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is tender. Shred the chicken with two forks, remove the bay leaf, and stir in the cream cheese. Let the cream cheese heat through.
- Serve on top of your favorite pasta. Topped with parsley or basil, if desired.
I hope you give this dish a try soon! Let me know in the comments below.
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Check out these other slow cooker recipes:
Slow Cooker Chicken, Stuffing, and Green Beans Dinner
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Ginger Chicken
Monday’s Slow Cooker Recipes
- Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake by That Recipe
- Beef Short Ribs with Vegetables by Family Around the Table
- Easy Slow Cooker Lady Pea Cassoulet by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Homestyle Pork Roast (Slow Cooker) by Palatable Pastime
- Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentil Soup by Frugal & Fit
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Sauce by Savory Moments
- Slow Cooker Curried Lentil & Sausage Soup by The Spiffy Cookie
- Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Slow Cooker Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Casserole by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Slow Cooker Pinto Bean and Chorizo Naan Bread Appetizer by The Freshman Cook
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage by Blogghetti
- Vegan Slow Cooker Chickpea Noodle Soup by Kate's Recipe Box
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This recipe was originally published in 2020 and the post was slightly updated in 2021 to improve reader experience.
Pasta is at least a weekly occurrence around our house too. Happy for another recipe.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fuss free and very delicious weekday meal!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so good! I love pasta and the creamy chicken sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThat sauce looks amazing. Comfort food!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious and perfect for pasta! Yum!
ReplyDeleteThat sauce looks fabulous. I could probably just make a meal out of that.
ReplyDeleteThat sauce sounds amazing and so family friendly too. I love bow tie pasta too!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to have to give this a try with some of the pasta sauce I just made! I think it would make the perfect weeknight dinner!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious! I love the creamy tomato sauce with the chicken and the pasta!
ReplyDeleteWe are total pasta lovers here! This sauce looks so delicious and super simple to cook in the slow cooker.
ReplyDeleteI love this dish!I am looking forward to trying this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great meal to come home to after a long day.
ReplyDelete