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 Spinach Pasta Primavera

This Slow Cooker Spinach Pasta Primavera is a fresh, vegetable-filled dish that shows slow-cooker meals can be light and vibrant instead of heavy. Placing the pasta above the vegetables and adding the spinach right at the end helps keep the vegetables colorful and tender while a creamy Parmesan sauce brings all the flavors together. It’s a great option for using up extra veggies and serving a bright, satisfying dinner.

Slow Cooker Spinach Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

• 8 oz (about 4 cups) uncooked short pasta such as penne, rotini, or shells
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1: Prepare and Layer the Vegetables
Lightly coat a 4–6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray or oil. Spread the chopped onion, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, peas, and cherry tomatoes evenly across the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil or butter, then add the garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step 2: Add the Pasta Layer
Spread the uncooked pasta evenly over the vegetables, forming the next layer.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the broth, heavy cream, and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Carefully pour the mixture over the pasta so most of it is covered by the liquid. Press the pasta down slightly if needed.

Step 4: Cook Slowly
Cover and cook on Low for 2–3 hours. Check after about 2 hours and give it a gentle stir to help everything cook evenly. The pasta is ready once it becomes tender.

Step 5: Stir in the Spinach
Add the fresh baby spinach and fold it into the pasta. The heat from the dish will wilt the spinach quickly, usually within a minute. If the sauce becomes too thick, mix in a small amount of extra broth.

Step 6: Finish the Dish
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan over the top. Let the dish sit on the Warm setting for about 5–10 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly before serving.