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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pasta in a slow cooker?

46 replies

Feisty1youare · 13/08/2023 18:16

Now bare with, I wouldn't normally dream of cooking pasta in a slow cooker, however our cooker died yesterday and I'm not in a position to replace it just yet. I mainly use the air fryer to cook things now, however pasta is a regular dish in our house and I'm wondering if I use could the slow cooker to do a tomato based pasta dish? Chuck it in about an hour before the dish is cooked? Has anyone tried it and had success

OP posts:
violetcuriosity · 13/08/2023 18:17

I think I remember someone doing this with spag Bol, never tried it myself. Give it a go! X

InsomniacsWife · 13/08/2023 18:17

Sounds like a recipe for mushy overcooked pasta 🤮

LittleBearPad · 13/08/2023 18:18

Do you have a microwave OP - that would be easier.

I’d also assume soggy over cooked pasta would result.

AskAgathaIfSheWantsACupOfTea · 13/08/2023 18:19

Slow cooker lasagna? I’ve made that plenty and it’s always been lovely

TregunaMekoides · 13/08/2023 18:20

My uni flatmate used to do pasta in the microwave - pyrex jug, cover with boiling water and cook for a few mins. It baffled me as I'd never seen it before but it worked fine for them.

Hotcuppatea · 13/08/2023 18:20

Mac n cheese would surely work.

Skyblue92 · 13/08/2023 18:20

I’ve just done a quick google and a number of recipes/advice came up on how to cook pasta in a slow cooker. Also there’s some recipes out there for lasagna in an air fryer

FilthyforFirth · 13/08/2023 18:21

I have literally just had slow cooker mac and cheese for dinner. No work and so delicious!

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a574738/slow-cooker-macaroni-cheese/

Original poster
Feisty1youare · 13/08/2023 18:23

Yes I've got a microwave but I've always just used a hob,can't imagine using a microwave for pasta. I'm worried it will go too mushy, I wouldn't know what time to put the pasta in so it cooks nicely. Lasagne sounds like it could be good

OP posts:
Original poster
Feisty1youare · 13/08/2023 18:24

Thanks for that mac and cheese recipe!

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 13/08/2023 18:27

Feisty1youare · 13/08/2023 18:23

Yes I've got a microwave but I've always just used a hob,can't imagine using a microwave for pasta. I'm worried it will go too mushy, I wouldn't know what time to put the pasta in so it cooks nicely. Lasagne sounds like it could be good

Pasta and boiling water in Pyrex jug - cook according to packet instructions and it should be fine. Test it and add a bit more time if not.

TregunaMekoides · 13/08/2023 18:28

Slow cooker lasagne is lush. You can do cottage pie too.

MyrtleSmurf · 13/08/2023 18:30

I do a sausage pasta in the slow cooker. The recipe says to add the pasta half an hour before serving but I found that didn't cook it enough so I do 45 mins - 1hr and it's perfect.

Ducksurprise · 13/08/2023 18:33

Slow cooked pasta put us off pasta for about a year.

I'm sure there is a point where it isn't like slugs but despite multiple attempts I haven't worked it out. Mushy, slimey, weird yuk.

Ducksurprise · 13/08/2023 18:35

Although that mac and cheese recipe does look nice....bet I regret trying it

ArcticBells · 13/08/2023 18:39

I always cook pasta in the microwave! Put pasta and frozen peas in big bowl, pour boiling kettle water over and cook 7 minutes, stir, then another 7 minutes... and done! A couple of spoonfuls of pesto and voila!

ShoeJunkie · 13/08/2023 18:41

If you are on Instagram have a look at BoredOfLunch - he has lots of slow cooker pasta recipes.

ThinWomansBrain · 13/08/2023 18:46

I've not tried it for large portions, but in the winter I got into a routine of cooking pasta by putting it into one of those sistema soup cups, covering it in boiling water - I think 30 minutes was ideal, but sometimes I'd leave it overnight if I forgot, & it was still OK.
I'd drain it, add pasta sauce, pesto or roast vegetables, take it to work the next day and heat it in the microwave - always came out well.

GoodChat · 13/08/2023 18:49

If you're going to chuck it in an hour before surely you're home anyway so can make it normally?

AdaColeman · 13/08/2023 18:51

You could fry gnocchi in the air fryer, then serve with your favourite pasta sauce. Put them in a shallow dish, drizzle on a little olive oil and stir to coat the gnocchi, then cook.
Meanwhile heat the sauce in the microwave.

I've found that the filled pasta shapes work well cooked in the microwave, as does fresh pasta.

buttercupcake · 13/08/2023 18:52

ShoeJunkie · 13/08/2023 18:41

If you are on Instagram have a look at BoredOfLunch - he has lots of slow cooker pasta recipes.

I was just about to say the same thing!! I made his delicious chicken, chorizo & red pesto pasta dish in my slow cooker the other day, so delicious and easy, and the pasta wasn’t mushy at all.

RedRobyn2021 · 13/08/2023 18:52

You can of course

There's a recipe book called Bored of Lunch slow cooker recipes which have pets dishes in, they've got an instagram page with recipes on though too

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 13/08/2023 18:53

Pasta takes9-12 minutes on the stove Confused why would you even use a slow cooker? It'll be mush, surely?!

gingercat02 · 13/08/2023 18:54

Don't see why not. We make this loads www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/greek-lamb-stew-recipe-2203718

Frogmila · 13/08/2023 18:57

I made slow.cooker veggie lasagne a few times when cooker was on the blink. Very simple- just a tomato sauce, layered with lasagne broken to fit. Cheese on top. Possibly a few mushrooms. Not saying it was haute cuisine but I rather loved it!