Bonnies Slow Cooker Penne Recipes

BONNIE'S SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI (GLUTEN FREE!)

Steps:

• Make TWO foil collars from two 18 inch sheets of tin foil, folded in half to make each sheet about 5 inches wide and 18 inches long. This will go around the perimeter of the slow cooker, twice. See my photo, one is inside the other. This technique will prevent the ziti from scorching and help it cook more evenly and keep its shape, so don't omit. This makes four layers of foil between your ziti and the wall of the slow cooker. there will be no foil on the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Spray generously with Pam inside the foil "walls".
• Heat oil in large Dutch oven. Remove the casings from the sausage and using a spoon, break it into small pieces. Fry over medium high heat until well browned. Add onion and cook until lightly browned, about five minutes, then add the garlic, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes.
• Measure the raw ziti and add it to the meat mixture. Turn it constantly for five minutes until the edges of the pasta become translucent. Turn off the fire. Note: This technique of cooking the ziti in oil and meat prevents uneven cooking of the pasta, so don't omit.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Scrape up any brown bits. Mix well.
• Carefully spoon the sauce into the center of the foil-lined slow cooker.
• It will look like this.
• Add the lid, cover and cook on low about 3 hours. Mine was perfectly done at 3 hours. So you will want to check yours at about 2 1/2 hours.
• Now it is cooked. Using tongs, remove the foil sleeves from the walls of the slow cooker.
• Dollop ricotta over the ziti in the slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the grated mozzarella over the ziti and ricotta. Put the lid on the slow cooker for 20 minutes on the warm setting just to melt the cheeses.
• Here is how the Ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses look when melted.
• Thinly slice your fresh basil.
• Get your plate ready and garnish with basil.
• Serve and Enjoy!

BONNIE'S SLOW COOKER PENNE

Steps:

• Spray a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray.
• Add the pasta, spaghetti sauce, and seasonings.
• Mix cottage cheese and parmesan cheese together, and add to the mixture. Add 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, and stir well to combine. Add the garlic, mushrooms, black olives, and pepperoncini and fold gently into the mixture. Make sure the penne is not visible above the sauce.
• Sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
• Cover and cook on the LOW setting for about 3 hours. Check at 2 ½ hours to see if the penne is done. It will be slightly brown around the edges. If the penne is not done, continue cooking the full 3 hours and check again. The cheese will be melted and the mixture set. Garnish and Serve immediately.
• Note: We can have two meals from this recipe and freeze 10 half pint jars for quick lunches.

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Spray 2- to 3-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
• In small shallow bowl, beat egg until foamy. In separate shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Dip chicken into egg, then coat evenly with bread crumb mixture; place in cooker. Spread pasta sauce evenly over chicken.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours.
• Sprinkle Italian cheese blend over top. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Serve chicken with pasta.

SLOW-COOKER GREEK PENNE

Steps:

• Spray bottom of 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Line side of slow cooker with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in spinach, oregano, salt and pepper. In medium bowl, mix pasta sauce and sugar.
• In slow cooker, spread 1 1/2 cups of the pasta sauce. Layer with half of the pasta, half of the beef mixture and 1 cup of the feta cheese. Repeat layers. Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce over top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 hours or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil.