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Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A simple slow cooker pasta dish where the sauce and pasta are cooked together. Three types of tomato and spinach are the base of this delicious saucy pasta.


Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta



If you've been following my recipes this winter, you'll be feeling my love for my slow cooker. It used to be pulled out once or twice a year, used, then stored again, but not really loved or appreciated.

I felt uninspired, thinking it was really a good gadget for meat-eaters, but not great for vegetarians or vegans. I couldn't really think of anything but soup to make in it.

This year, with my new larger slow cooker I'm created all sorts of different dishes and really loving it.

I realise now how wrong I 

Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta


WINTER SLOW COOKER RECIPES


Slow Cooker Pasta


giant pasta shells stuffed with cream cheese and spinach


This winter I've created three pasta dishes including this new recipe.

I created my triple tomato and spinach pasta, luxury slow cooker mac and cheese and giant pasta shells stuffed with cream cheese and spinach in a tomato sauce.

Pasta in the slow cooker has been such a revelation to me. Just one pot and throw it all in. So, so easy. and less washing up. 


Slow Cooker Stew


vegan Irish stew


I've only made one stew in it this winter, but it was a real doozy. A rich vegan Irish stew full of winter vegetables and pulses in a rich gravy made with beer.

It's been real popular too, with lots of people visiting to pick up the recipe and several readers telling me they've made it and really enjoyed. it.



Slow Cooker Soup


Scottish slow cooker vegetable soup


I've made a few family favourite soups in my slow cooker this season, including a big batch of my carrot and coriander soup for Christmas Day and I also created a traditional Scottish slow cooker vegetable soup.




Slow Cooker Mulled Wine


mulled wine with orange liqueur


I also made mulled wine with orange liqueur in my slow cooker. Lovely spiced wine (or you could do this with cider), kept warm and ready to serve to guests to take off the chill when they come in from the cold.


Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta


Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta


For this slow cooker pasta dish, I wanted to just throw everything in and I knew I wanted a comforting rich tomato sauce.

I called this triple tomato sauce, but actually if you include the tomato puree there are actually four types of tomato in this recipe. Tinned chopped tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and of course some tomato puree for richness and a bit of sweetness.

I also included a generous layer of spinach to make this pasta sauce even more nutritious.

Reader's photo comment- Loved it


Which pasta should I use?


shell pasta


I used shell pasta or conchiglioni as it is sometimes known. I picked this pasta as it will fill up with sauce beautifully, but is also quite substantial.

Penne pasta would also work in this dish.

You don't need to pre-cook the pasta, just weigh (or judge from the packet size and quantity, ahem), then throw it in with the other ingredients and give it a good stir. 


Adding liquid to one-pot pasta


Of course it does need some liquid, as there isn't enough liquid in the chopped tomatoes, so I added vegetable stock. 

One thing you need to remember about adding liquid to slow cooker dishes. It just doesn't need as much as it would if you made it in a pot on the slow cooker and we aren't just talking about pasta either.

I really don't know the science behind it, but it is a gentle heat, so I imagine it doesn't reduce down the liquid the same as a pot over a medium to high heat. Also the lid is on during cooking, so it almost steams at the same time.

It is said that you should reduce the liquid by about a third. I always think it is easier to add more stock or water during cooking rather than put too much in at the beginning and drowning the dish.


Crockpot Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta


pin it for later

A simple slow cooker pasta dish where the sauce and pasta are cooked together. Three types of tomato and spinach are the base of this delicious saucy pasta. #veganslowcooker #vegetarianslowcooker #slowcookerpasta #vegancrockpot #vegetariancrockpot #crockpotpasta #slowcooker #crockpot



slow cooker recipe, slow cooker pasta, vegan slow cooker, vegetarian slow cooker, crockpot pasta. vegan crockpot, vegetarian crockpot. tomato pasta
dinner
Italian, slow cooker, crockpot, vegan, vegetarian
Yield: 4-6
Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A simple slow cooker pasta dish where the sauce and pasta are cooked together. Three types of tomato and spinach are the base of this delicious saucy pasta.
prep time: 5 minscook time: 2 hour and 30 minstotal time: 2 hours and 35 mins

ingredients


  • 300g shell pasta
  • 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 50g fresh spinach
  • 10-12 sundried tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp of oil from the sundried tomatoes jar
  • 12 cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 400ml vegetable stock (2 stock cubes)
  • a good grinding of salt and pepper

instructions


  1. Pour all the ingredients into the slow cooker pot.
  2. Stir well.
  3. Set on high for 2 hours 30 minutes and start.
  4. Stir a couple of times while cooking and check to see if it need a little more hot water in the last half hour of cooking.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

NOTES:

Calories and nutrition for 4 large portions.
calories
306
fat (grams)
8.9
sat. fat (grams)
1.2
carbs (grams)
46.7
protein (grams)
10.1
sugar (grams)
2.8
Created using The Recipes Generator




TRY THIS NEXT

Slow Cooker Potato & Haricot Bean Stew

Slow Cooker Potato & Haricot Bean Stew

A lightly spiced vegan casserole made in the slow cooker. Potatoes, carrots and haricot beans in a spicy tomato sauce makes a comforting family meal. Leftover portions can be chilled or frozen for another day.



For more vegetarian and vegan slow cooker recipes, check out my page Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

12 comments

  1. This was soooo yummy! We made it Tuesday and it was even better the next day! Thanks for a great recipe!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad you tried it and enjoyed it Neil. Thanks for letting me know.

      Delete
  2. Love this amazing Pasta recipe with such healthy options in it. This is an entire One Pot Meal. Cant wait to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks like a rich hearty and delicious tomato sauce that my family would love. We eat sauce like this at least a few times per week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't beat a fresh tomato sauce with lots of veggies.

      Delete
  4. Love that you added spinach! I think my kids would actually eat it and get some veggies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is a sneaky way to add spinach. Luckily my son is pretty good with spinach.

      Delete
  5. I'm always afraid to put pasta in the slow cooker. Thanks for sharing your easy method!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I was at first too, but it's actually really good and so easy. Less washing up too.

      Delete
  6. I just made this and added butter beans in the last 5 minutes. Oh so tasty

    ReplyDelete

I love reading comments, so thank you for taking the time to leave one. Unfortunately, I'm bombarded with spam, so I've turned on comment moderation. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can and respond to them. Don't panic, they will disappear when you hit publish. Jac x