Crock Pot Rigatoni with Garlic Butter
Finding one-pot meals that your family will love isn't always easy. But you can't go wrong with pasta! The next time your family is craving an Italian dinner, give this crock pot rigatoni a try. Made with jarred pasta sauce, three different types of cheese, and a garlic butter topping, this easy noodle dish is packed with flavor. And since it can be prepared in just 20 minutes, it's also simple to make!
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What Do I Need to Make Crock Pot Rigatoni?
This dump-and-go recipe couldn't be easier to make! That's because it's prepared with just a handful of common pantry ingredients. All you need to make this rigatoni recipe for dinner tonight is:
- Rigatoni pasta
- Prepared pasta sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Butter
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic salt
How Do I Make Crock Pot Rigatoni?
Using your slow cooker to prepare rigatoni is a quick and easy cooking method perfect for a busy day! That's because you can dump the uncooked pasta into the pot with the rest of the ingredients and let the crockpot do all the hard work for you! To make your own rigatoni at home, follow these quick and easy steps.
Step One: Stir the Pasta and Sauce
Pour the dry rigatoni pasta into a 6-quart slow cooker, then add the jarred pasta sauce. Stir to mix the ingredients until well combined, making sure all the noodles are fully coated in sauce.
Step Two: Add the Cheese
Stir half the mozzarella cheese into the pasta and sauce. After that, add dollops of ricotta cheese evenly throughout the pot. Top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan cheese.
Step Three: Make the Butter Topping
Melt the butter and combine it with the garlic, Italian seasoning and garlic salt. When the sauce is well mixed, pour it over the top of the pasta and cheese in the slow cooker.
Step Four: Cook the Rigatoni
Place the lid on top of the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Serve topped with parmesan cheese.
How to Store Baked Rigatoni?
This amazing recipe makes a big batch of pasta, which means you'll probably have some leftovers when dinner is over! Transfer the extra pasta to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
You can also freeze the cooked pasta for longer-term storage. Allow the pastaely, then transfer it to a freezer bag or freezer- to cool completsafe container. You can keep the recipe frozen for up to three months.
When you're ready to reheat the dinner, transfer the frozen pasta to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. After that, you can reheat the rigatoni in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through.
How Long to Cook Rigatoni in the Slow Cooker?
Making your pasta in the crock pot is one of the easiest ways to prepare it! That's because there's no need to boil the noodles before adding them to the pot. The key to getting delicious pasta out of your slow cooker is to know the right cook time.
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When preparing rigatoni, you'll need to cook your pasta for:
- 4 to 5 hours on low
- 1 ½ to 2 hours on high
When cooking pasta in the crockpot, it's important to understand that cook times will vary. That's why it's a good idea to check on the pasta on the low end of the cook time to ensure it's not overcooked. You can adjust the cook time, as needed, until the pasta is thoroughly cooked.
Rigatoni Recipe Ideas
Enjoy a delicious pasta dinner without the mess of making it on the stovetop with this simple slow cooker meal! And since this easy recipe is a classic dinner, there are a variety of ways to customize it to suit your own family's tastes. Try these substations and adjustments to create a delicious dinner with the help of your crockpot.
- Add some meat. This meat-free recipe is delicious on its own. But if you want to add extra protein to your meal, you can easily add some ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot. Stir the cooked and crumbled meat into the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Mix in veggies. Round out your pasta dinner with some vegetables. Before cooking,ed onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, or spinach to the pot with the pasta and sauce add some sliced cucumber, chopp.
- Make it gluten-free. Since the pasta is the only ingredient in this recipe that contains gluten, you can easily replace the traditional pasta with your favorite gluten-free rigatoni.
- Use dairy-free ingredients. If someone in your family has a dairy allergy, you can also replace the dairy-containing ingredients with dairy free alternatives, including the cheese and butter.
Delicious Sides to Serve with Rigatoni Pasta
Rigatoni pasta is a versatile and satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with an array of delectable sides. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a cozy meal at home, these food pairings will elevate your pasta experience. Here's a list of mouth-watering options to complement your rigatoni:
Salads
Classic Caesar Salad: A Caesar salad is a timeless favorite that balances the richness of rigatoni with its crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons.
Arugula Salad with Parmesan: Peppery arugula leaves topped with shaved Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta.
Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil drizzled with balsamic glaze make for a simple yet flavorful side.
Vegetables
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until caramelized for a healthy and savory addition to your meal.
Garlic Sautéed Spinach: Quickly sauté spinach with garlic and olive oil for a nutritious side that adds a burst of flavor without overpowering the pasta.
Grilled Zucchini: Lightly seasoned zucchini slices grilled to perfection add a smoky taste that complements the rigatoni.
Breads
Garlic Bread: Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, garlic bread is a must-have for sopping up every last bit of sauce.
Focaccia: This Italian bread, with its golden crust and airy texture, is perfect for dipping in olive oil or enjoying alongside your pasta.
Breadsticks: Warm, buttery breadsticks are an irresistible accompaniment that adds a touch of indulgence to your meal.
Proteins
Meatballs: Juicy, Italian-style meatballs simmered in marinara sauce are a classic pairing that enhances the flavor of rigatoni.
Grilled Chicken: Succulent grilled chicken breasts seasoned with herbs and spices provide a protein-packed complement to the pasta.
Crock Pot Rigatoni with Garlic Butter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rigatoni pasta GF if desired* see notes
- 48 ounces prepared pasta sauce (2 Jars)
- 8 ounces ricotta dairy-free if desired* see notes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella dairy-free if desired* see notes
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for garnish dairy-free if desired* see notes
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
- Herb Butter
- 2 tablespoons butter dairy-free if desired* see notes
- 4 cloves garlic pressed
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch garlic salt
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the pasta with the pasta sauce and stir well.
- Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese, then dollop the ricotta evenly throughout. Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- In a small ramekin, melt the butter with the garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Once melted, pour over the pasta.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to LOW 4-5 hours or HIGH 1.5-2.
- Serve with additional parmesan cheese
Notes
Nutrition
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