This slow cooker chicken parmesan pasta delivers all the saucy, cheesy flavors of the classic Italian dish without the breading, frying, or mess. Just minutes of prep, a few hours in the crock pot, and dinner is done.
Sauce Ingredients (see notes to make with jarred pasta sauce)
228 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
½cupred wine
¼cupgrated Parmesan cheese
⅓cupdiced onion
4clovesgarlicminced
2teaspoonsdried oregano
2teaspoonsdried parsley
2teaspoonsdried basil
½teaspoonred pepper flakes
1teaspoonsugar
1 ½teaspoon coarse kosher salt or to taste
1teaspoonblack pepperor to taste
1poundpenne pastacooked
For Topping
1 ½cupsmozzarella cheeseshredded
¼cupsParmesan cheesefreshly grated
parsley or basilchopped to garnish
Optional - Bread Crumb Topping
¼cupItalian breadcrumbs
¼cuppanko crumbs
2-3teaspoons butteror olive oil
Instructions
In the bottom of the slow cooker, combine crushed tomatoes, red wine, onion, garlic, oregano, parsley, basil, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine
Place the chicken breast with into the slow cooker and nestle it down into the sauce so that it is covered.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
When done, shred with 2 forks directly in the slow cooker.You can remove to a plate or cutting board if easier to shred. Place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker if you removed it.
About 10 minutes before time is up, boil pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta.
Pour pasta into crock pot. Stir the chicken and pasta into the sauce, until combined.
Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover the crock pot (optional: place a paper towel under the lid to keep liquid from dripping onto the cheese) and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Optional - Bread Crumb Topping
Optional: If you would like a crunchy topping, toast a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and panko crumbs with a little butter or olive oil, then sprinkle them over the servings just before serving.
Garnish with parsley or basil and serve immediately.
Notes
FOR A SAUCE SHORTCUT: You can use 2 (24-ounce) Jars of Pasta Sauce & 1 (12 to 16-ounce) jar of pizza sauce of your choice. These are usually flavored with seasonings so you can reduce them or omit them to taste.Nutrition calculated without breadcrumb topping.