Add fresh spinach and pasta to the slow cooker with 4 simple ingredients for a meal so tasty your friends won’t stop asking for seconds
Slow Cooker Vegetable Pasta Primavera
This slow cooker pasta primavera is a colorful, comforting meal filled with tender vegetables, creamy Parmesan sauce, and fresh spinach. The slow cooking process allows the vegetables to soften gently while keeping their bright flavor and texture, creating a lighter pasta dish that still feels rich and satisfying.
It’s an easy way to turn simple ingredients into a warm homemade dinner with minimal effort.
🧾 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Uncooked short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells) | 8 oz |
| Vegetable or chicken broth | 3 cups |
| Fresh baby spinach | 3 cups |
| Heavy cream or half-and-half | 1 cup |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | 1 cup, divided |
| Broccoli florets | 1 cup |
| Sliced carrots | 1 cup |
| Sliced bell peppers | 1 cup |
| Cherry tomatoes, halved | 1 cup |
| Frozen peas | 1/2 cup |
| Olive oil or melted butter | 2 tbsp |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Small yellow onion, chopped | 1 |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Dried basil | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp |
| Red pepper flakes | Pinch |
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables
Lightly grease a 4–6 quart slow cooker.
Add the onion, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, peas, and cherry tomatoes to the bottom of the cooker. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
Sprinkle in the garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Step 2: Add the pasta
Spread the uncooked pasta evenly over the vegetables.
Step 3: Prepare the sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the broth, cream, and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until combined.
Pour the mixture evenly over the pasta and vegetables, making sure most of the pasta is covered with liquid.
Step 4: Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, checking after 2 hours.
Stir gently halfway through cooking to help the pasta cook evenly.
The dish is ready when the pasta becomes tender.
Step 5: Add the spinach
Fold the fresh spinach into the hot pasta mixture. The remaining heat will wilt it within a minute or two.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of extra broth.
Step 6: Finish and serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
Allow the pasta to rest on the warm setting for 5–10 minutes before serving to let the sauce thicken slightly.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Garlic bread
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Extra Parmesan cheese
✨ Final Thought
Creamy, colorful, and packed with vegetables, this slow cooker pasta primavera offers a fresh twist on comfort food while keeping preparation simple and stress-free.
