topic Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot in Recipes

If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

AuntG — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:29:09 GMT

My husband wants me to make a casserole that has to be transported to a potluck so I have to make it in a crockpot as there is no oven available. Do you think something like spaghetti would hold up, or would baked ziti be a better choice? Perhaps layered lasagna is an option. I like the ingredients in Million Dollar Spaghetti but my fear is it will turn to mush. Any advice from experienced cooks is appreciated.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

D Kay — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:39:09 GMT

Could you possibly take it in some type of insulated carrier?

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

kate2357 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:50:35 GMT

Couple of options:

Make the spaghetti and sauce in another pot, then place into your prewarmed crock to keep it warm for a few hours. Should hold up fine.

Make your spaghetti sauce but use a different pasta...penne, rotini, elbow...etc. I would make it a bit more saucy because the pasta will soak up the sauce no matter which type of pasta younuxe.

I have hade really good luck with Barilla not getting mushy.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

sunshine45 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:52:08 GMT

baked ziti would absolutely be better OR google crockpot lasagna. i like using mafalde shaped pasta for a crockpot lasagna.

another good idea is some type of chicken casserole.....chicken and veggies.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

Kachina624 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:56:51 GMT

I would cook the meat and pasta separately, then add the cooked pasta at the last minute. I'm not sure the crockpot is the best way to make lasagna since its layered and can't be mixed.

I recently made this recipe which was quite good and got better as it aged. Also froze well. I got the salad dressing at Walmart. I also added 3 finely diced Roma tomatoes which gave it some color and cut the vinegar taste. It would work well for your purpose. It's quick and easy to assemble. I'd beat with an electric mixer after cooking to shred the chicken and break up the cream cheese. I cooked it 7 hours.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

Skyegirl21 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 02:11:06 GMT

Agree with @D Kay , get an insulated carrier that has a hot pack insert. I have one from Pyrex, it's 10 years old that use everyholidwy to bring ready food to family gatherings! Works like a charm! Any pasta will become super-mush in a crockpot.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

ECBG — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:15:05 GMT

I would just bake my pasta dish and insilute or get a warming tray.

This one was a fav in my Foods and Nutrition classes and stays very moist. I have posted it before, but you may have missed it.

Noodle Bake

2 lbs. high quality ground beef

1 ½ tsp garlic

2 14.5 oz cans tomato sauce

1 12 oz pkg medium egg noodles

1 Tbsp butter, plus 2 Tbsp.

1 16 oz sour cream

1 lg softened cream cheese

Optional: 2 Tbsp. chives

In large skillet, brown and well drain ground beef.

Add tomato sauce, and garlic and simmer about 20 minutes.

Butter 3 qt casserole and place a side.

In bowl, mix sour cream and softened cream cheese.

(I use my hand mixer).

Hand stir chives in.

Cook egg noodles alienate with oil in the water to prevent clumping.

Drain and toss lightly with 2 tbsp butter.

In buttered 3 qt casserole layer:

1/2 of the noodles

1/2 of the cheese mixture

1/2 of the meat mixture.

Repeat layers in same order.

Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 min. Cheese may be covered to prevent browning.

May be made a day ahead, refrigerated and cooked for 1 hour.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

Sooner — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:54:42 GMT

@AuntG

If it has to hold long I think the pasta would get soggy and I'd be wary of anything with dairy in it.

What about a chicken and rice casserole or a King Ranch Casserole or Mexican style that might hold better? Lots and lots of good recipes for that type of dish.

Ingredients

1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can diced tomato and green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 pinches garlic powder
2 pinches pepper
12 corn tortillas, torn into 1-inch pieces
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Directions

In a large skilled over medium-high heat, sauté bell pepper and onion 5 minutes or until tender.
Stir in chicken and next 7 ingredients; remove from heat.
Layer one-third of torn tortillas in bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish
Top with one-third of chicken mixture and 2/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice.
Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.

Test Kitchen Tip

Freeze casserole up to one month, if desired. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

QVC101 — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 11:46:05 GMT

@AuntG

What I have done, even entertaining at home is take the crockpot stoneware dish out of the heating part, make your baked ziti or whatever and bake it in the traditional oven. Using the stoneware liner as your casserole dish. Then you can just put it in the crockpot heater to keep it warm. You can also make in advance, put the stoneware in the refrigerator and just reheat it in the crockpot heater. Not sure I am saying this so you see the vision but it works very well.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

RNbynite — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 12:22:16 GMT

@kate2357 .....ITA......Barilla pasta is one of the best, Really good lasagna noodles, too. I like DeCecco as well (sp).

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

RNbynite — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 12:29:56 GMT

ETA.......Be sure to cook the pasta al dente, but not sure it will prevent mushiness if kept warm for an extended length of time in crockpot. I have never used my crockpot for pasta, only stew, lol.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

CalminHeart — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:19:43 GMT

You could make it like you usually do and put it in the crock pot right before you leave so it stays hot.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

walker — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:31:35 GMT

Great advice here plus new recipes. I have done spaghetti and meatballs in crock pot. It worked out fine...but was not sitting in crock pot all day. I did fix everything stovetop and then kept warm in crock pot for serving. Good idea to use different type pasta ...rigatoni, mostaciolli, etc. Maybe after transporting turn on low for short time and then kick down to warm. Bring a little extra sauce with you in case you need to add it. Another idea is to keep pasta and sauce separate until you arrive. Then add pasta.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

ECBG — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:23:24 GMT

@QVC101 wrote:
@AuntG

What I have done, even entertaining at home is take the crockpot stoneware dish out of the heating part, make your baked ziti or whatever and bake it in the traditional oven. Using the stoneware liner as your casserole dish. Then you can just put it in the crockpot heater to keep it warm. You can also make in advance, put the stoneware in the refrigerator and just reheat it in the crockpot heater. Not sure I am saying this so you see the vision but it works very well.

@QVC101

Please be careful with the crock pot stone ware. I prepared a dish the night before in the crock pot stoneware and refrigerated it. The next morning I put the cold stonewear in the crock pot and turned it to low.

The stoneware cracked; liquid was everywhere, and replacement was so expensive, I bought an entire unit.

Re: If you made a pasta dish in a crockpot

Happy2BHere — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 01:00:22 GMT

I saved this 5 star rated Crockpot Ziti recipe from a Taste of Home because it sounded super easy and yummy - you might have a look:

Ingredients

1 container (15 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 jar (24 ounces) meatless pasta sauce
2 cups uncooked ziti
1/4 cup water
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, egg, basil, and if desired, red pepper flakes. Pour pasta sauce into a 5-qt. slow cooker. Evenly top sauce with pasta; pour water over top. Drop heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Cover; cook on high until heated through and pasta is tender, 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Top with fresh basil and, if desired, Parmesan cheese and additional red pepper flakes; serve immediately.

Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti Tips

Can you put uncooked pasta in the slow-cooker?

Yes! This slow-cooker baked ziti recipe was developed with enough liquid to rehydrate the dry, uncooked pasta during the 2-1/2 hours it spends in the slow cooker. This way, no prep is necessary. Many other recipes don’t require cooking the noodles ahead of time, either.

What other pasta shapes can you use in slow-cooker baked ziti?

Other short-cut pastas make a great substitute for ziti. Try rigatoni, penne, radiatore or casarecce, or check out our guide to pasta shapes for more ideas.

How do you store slow-cooker baked ziti?

Store slow-cooker baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. But we’re sure you’ll eat up the leftovers before then—especially when served with garlic bread..