Let’s walk through this incredibly simple slow cooker pasta process:

1. Combine Sauce Ingredients:

• In the insert of your slow cooker, combine the heavy cream, chicken broth, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper (and optional red pepper flakes). Stir everything together well.

2. Add Uncooked Pasta:

• Add the uncooked penne pasta to the slow cooker.
• Stir well to combine, ensuring the pasta is as submerged as possible in the liquid mixture. This is crucial for even cooking.

3. Cook Pasta:

• Cover the slow cooker securely with the lid.
• Cook on the LOW heat setting for 2-3 hours. Cooking time can vary significantly depending on your slow cooker model. Start checking the pasta for tenderness around the 1.5-2 hour mark. The pasta should be cooked al dente or to your liking. Stir occasionally (maybe once or twice during the cook time) to prevent sticking, especially towards the end.

4. Add Spinach and Parmesan:

• Once the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness, turn off the slow cooker (or switch to warm).
• Stir in the fresh spinach leaves until they wilt down into the hot pasta and sauce (this only takes a minute or two).
• Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.

5. Rest (Optional) and Serve:

• Let the pasta sit covered for a few minutes for the sauce to thicken slightly if desired.
• Serve hot, garnished generously with chopped fresh basil.

Minimal effort for a creamy, delicious pasta dinner