Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts

6/25/26

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles

Home » Main Dishes » One-Pot Swedish Meatballs

Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe. Make it into a 30-minute meal by prepping the meatballs ahead of time!

Author: Mandy Rivers | Published: 6/25/26

Oh, I can't wait until you make this one! You are going to love how simple and easy it is and you're really going to love that it all cooks in one pot. You won't even need a strainer for the noodles!

I came across a recipe on the Betty Crocker website for something very similar. The idea really appealed to me so I took a look! The noodle/sauce part of their recipe seemed a little puny and the reviews confirmed it. But I still wanted to make it so I figured out a better way!

Because theirs didn't really make a sauce (just noodles cooked in chicken broth with some half & half poured in), commenters said they were able to make it thicker by adding a cornstarch slurry. I knew we could do better!

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

  1. The noodles cook in beef broth in the same pot the meatballs are cooked in so they will have loads of flavor.
  2. The pan drippings will work with the starch from the noodles to make the sauce extra velvety and smooth (because pasta water + fat = magic).
  3. Instead of using cornstarch or flour to thicken the sauce, this recipe uses a brown gravy packet which is easier and adds flavor.
  4. Adding 1/2 cup of sour cream at the end will make the sauce creamy and more like traditional Swedish Meatball gravy.
One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

WHY I'M EXCITED ABOUT THESE MEATBALLS

  • These are the real deal! I don't typically use panko and milk (or nutmeg) in my meatballs but these ingredients are key in getting the texture and flavor of authentic Swedish meatballs.
  • I like to double the meatball recipe and freeze half for the next time I make this one-pot wonder!
  • You can make this a 30-minute meal by mixing and rolling the meatballs ahead of time (the night before or in the morning).
  • You can make this a 20-minute meal by fully preparing the meatballs ahead of time. Refrigerate after they're cooked. Bring to room temperature while making the noodles and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the broth when cooking the noodles (because you won't have the pan drippings).
  • If you freeze a batch, just thaw then follow the instructions in the note above.
One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

5 FAQ ON ONE-POT SWEDISH MEATBALLS

1. Can I use prepared frozen meatballs. Yes. They won't be as good as these homemade meatballs, but technically yes. Here's how: Thaw the meatballs (in the fridge overnight would be best) and add 4 tablespoons of butter to the broth when cooking the noodles.

2. Can I use beef bullion instead of broth.  Absolutely! It's a little saltier than broth so don't add any salt without tasting the sauce first.

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

3. Can I use ground pork?  Yes! You can also use a combo of beef and pork (which is traditional to authentic Swedish meatballs). I've made this with a 50/50 combo and loved it! The meatballs were super tender. 

4. I don't have panko, can I use something else?  You can use traditional dried breadcrumbs but start with 1/2 cup and only 2 tablespoons of milk, then add more of either if needed. 

5. Which pot should I use?  You need something wide enough that the meatballs can cook in one layer with a little wiggle room and deep enough to cook the noodles. You don't want your giant soup pot but you need something bigger than a saucepan. 

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

MORE EASY ONE-POT MEALS

Spanish Rice with Ham - A homemade 30-minute, $10 meal for six made with perfectly seasoned Spanish rice cooked with ham steak that's easy to prepare and so delicious! 

Taco Rice with Queso -  (the kids' favorite!) A one-pan skillet dinner made with ground beef, taco seasoning and Mexican style rice drenched in an easy queso sauce. 

Salisbury Steak & Potato Skillet Dinner - A one-pan recipe with tender hamburger steaks, potatoes and scratch-made gravy that cooks in just 30 minutes. 

Mediterranean Chickpeas & Rice (one of my all-time favorites!) -  A hearty rice recipe with chickpeas flavored with bacon, tomatoes, onion and garlic. 

Chicken & Mushroom Rice - A quick and easy skillet meal recipe with savory chicken and buttery mushrooms cooked with rice in one pan. 

Southern Fried Potatoes & Sausage (a huge reader favorite!) - A budget-friendly skillet meal with smoked sausage, onions and southern-style fried potatoes. 

Recipe for One-Pot Swedish Meatballs

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles! Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe.

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles

One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles
Yield: 6 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinInactive time: 10 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Perfectly seasoned Swedish meatballs with velvety gravy and egg noodles come together in this simple, easy one-pan recipe. 

Ingredients

Swedish Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 small onion, minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
Sauce & Noodles
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 6 cups egg noodles
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

Meatballs
  1. Combine all ingredients then mix until well combined. Roll into 14-15 meatballs.
  2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons neutral oil in a 5-quart pot over medium heat then add meatballs in a single layer. Let the meatballs brown 1-2 minutes (until they can be moved without resistance) then rotate and continue to brown on other sides.
  3. Once nicely browned, remove meatballs to a plate to add back later.
Sauce & Noodles
  1. Add beef broth to the pot with the drippings from the meatballs then bring to a boil over high heat. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits in the pan. 4 c. broth
  2. Add noodles and pepper, return to a boil then cook noodles 5 minutes (or 3 minutes less than package instructions). 6 c. noodles, 1/2 tsp pepper
  3. Add meatballs to the parboiled noodles.
  4. Combine brown gravy mix and cold water in a cup, stir well then pour into pot with noodles. Bring to a boil then continue cooking 3 minutes. Remove from heat. 1 gravy packet, 1.2 c. water
  5. Stir in sour cream until well incorporated then let rest, uncovered, 10 minutes so sauce can thicken. 1/2 c. sour cream
  6. Serve with fresh chopped chives or parsley if desired.

Notes

  • If your nutmeg isn't fresh (the fragrance will be faint), use 1/4 teaspoon.
  • Add 1/8 teaspoon of allspice to the meatballs for a more traditional Swedish meatball flavor. Allspice tastes like a combo of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg so you might consider adding a pinch of cinnamon and/or cloves if you'd like.
  • I use McCormick's 0.87-oz packet brown gravy.
  • See FAQ and other helpful info in the article above the recipe card.

Author: Mandy Rivers


One-Pot Swedish Meatballs with Noodles, swedish meatballs, egg noodles, pasta, noodles, one-pan, one-pot, sauce, gravy, best, how to, recipe, easy
dinner
American
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6/08/26

Easy Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage

Home » Crock Pot » Easy Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

Author: Mandy Rivers | Updated: 8/21/26

This dump-and-go recipe requires no meat to be browned or pasta to be cooked separately. Everything is going in the crock uncooked and coming out as a zesty, saucy Italian dish with meatballs made of Italian sausage and perfectly tender cheese tortellini!

The appeal of crock pot meals (for me, anyway) is that they be really easy. I don't want to have to brown meat or cook anything separately, especially on busy weekdays.

I want to just dump and go then presto! chango!, dinner is served! Otherwise I'd just cook all the stuff the traditional way, which if we're being honest, is going to yield better results in most cases.

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

Italian Sausage - Italian sausage links are the perfect way to make easy meatballs. Once you remove the casings, they practically roll themselves and always keep their shape. And the sausage is perfectly seasoned so no extra ingredients needed! 

Spaghetti Sauce - A jar of prepared spaghetti sauce is also already seasoned (so we won't need to drag out a bunch of spices and ingredients here either) and creates the perfect base for the meatballs to cook in. 

Fresh Tortellini - Fresh pasta takes way less time to cook than dried pasta so we can just toss the tortellini on top at the end, and the heat and steam in the crock pot will cook them perfectly.

Creamy Parmesan Topping - We'll heat some Half & Half in the microwave then pour it over the uncooked tortellini with some garlic powder and parmesan cheese. The starch from the pasta will bind itself to the fats in the Half & Half and parmesan which will make an easy creamy topping! This also ensures the tortellini cooks perfectly and makes them extra delicious.

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

HOW TO MAKE IT

The full, printable recipe card is down below but here's the basics of how to make this EASY recipe:

  1. Roll sausage links into meatballs then place in the crock (uncooked).
  2. Top meatballs with spaghetti sauce then cook on High 2-3 hours or Low 4-6 hours.
  3. Add tortellini on top.
  4. Heat Half & Half 2 minutes in the microwave, stir in salt and garlic powder then pour over tortellini.
  5. Top with parmesan cheese then continue cooking 15 minutes. That's it!
A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

12 FAQ ON CROCK POT TORTELLINI

1. Can traditional homemade meatballs be used in this?  Sure! Start with uncooked meatballs. They will be more tender than sausage meatballs so they may not hold their shape as well but that's OK!

2. Can I use frozen meatballs instead of sausage?  Technically, yes, but I imagine the texture will be pretty "corky" when cooked this long. I would reduce the initial cooking time by half.

3. What brand Italian sausage is best?  I like Johnsonville and Publix best. The only brand I've encountered that I didn't like starts with a 'P' and rhymes with "chemo" (I think it's too firm and a little tough). 

4. Should I use hot, sweet or mild Italian sausage?  I always use hot but any will work!

5. How do you remove the sausage casings easily?  Just run a sharp knife down the length of the sausage to cut the casing then you can peel it right off. It's easier than peeling a banana! 

6. Won't the sausage make things greasy?  Oddly, no! Italian sausage doesn't put off as much grease as ground beef and I've never noticed any standing or excess oil in this recipe.

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

7. Can I use other types of tortellini?  Absolutely! I love this with mushroom tortellini too! So long as it's FRESH, you can use any variety.

8. What type of spaghetti sauce do you like best?  I almost always use Prego (Traditional or Tomato Basil & Garlic) if I'm not using my homemade sauce recipe (which I keep stocked in the freezer). 

9. Can I use marinara sauce?  Yes! But keep in mind that marinara sauce usually has a little less spices and salt so you may want to add both if using.

10. Can this be frozen?  I haven't tried it myself but I can't think of a reason it wouldn't freeze well.

11. Can this be made with ground beef instead of Italian sausage?  Yes, but you'll need to season it well (I'd use salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder).

12.  Can I add peppers and onions?  Sounds good to me! I'd put them on top of the sauce while the meatballs cook.

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

LOVE THE NO-BOIL, NO-BROWN PART OF THIS RECIPE?

Me too! If this super easy method appeals to you, you HAVE GOT to make the No-Boil, No-Brown Italian Sausage & Pasta Bake! It's a LOT like this recipe but uses traditional dried pasta and bakes in the oven. 

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

3 EASY SLOW COOKER COMPLETE MEALS

None of these recipes requires browning the meat or precooking any of the ingredients (and no instant rice) and each is a complete meal!

Slow Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole - A simple but delicious casserole with Uncle Ben's wild rice, chicken tenderloins and mushrooms made easy in a crock pot. 

Crock Pot Swamp Potatoes - Smothered fresh green beans, potatoes and smoked sausage cooked in a slow cooker with butter, onions and Cajun seasoning. 

Southern Style Crock Pot Chicken & Rice - An easy slow cooker recipe for a Carolina favorite made with tender stewed chicken and long grain rice. 

Recipe for Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

Easy Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage

Easy Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage
Yield: 6 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 10 M

A no-brown, no-boil slow cooker recipe with sausage meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce under a bed of cheese tortellini and a creamy parmesan topping.

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lbs Italian sausage links
  • 1 24-oz jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 20-oz pack fresh cheese tortellini
  • 1 1/4 cups Half & Half
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Remove casings from sausage links then cut or pinch off pieces to roll into meatballs (4-5 meatballs from each individual link) then add to a large crock pot.
  2. Pour spaghetti sauce over sausage meatballs. Cover then cook on High 2-3 hours or Low 4-6 hours.
  3. Add tortellini in an even layer on top of sauce and meatballs then cover. Increase heat to High if not there already.
  4. Heat Half & Half in microwave for 2 minutes or until almost boiling. Stir in garlic powder and salt then pour over tortellini. Tortellini should be mostly submerged but if not, press them into the liquid a bit. It's OK if the tops are not completely covered. 1.25 c. Half & Half, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt
  5. Sprinkle grated parmesan over tortellini, cover with lid then cook on high 15-20 minutes or until tortellini is tender. 2/3 c. cheese
  6. Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

Notes

  • PRO TIP: Keep the empty sauce jar. The pasta will absorb the sauce the longer it sits (and may get a little dry). Add 1/2 cup HOT water and 2 tablespoons butter to the empty jar (which will have plenty of residual sauce in it), replace the lid then shake vigorously until the butter has melted and the mixture has emulsified, then stir into pasta if it has gone dry (or if you just like things a little saucy). This is also good to do if you have a lot left over and plan on refrigerating it.
  • You can use loose Italian sausage - the links are just really easy to roll into meatballs. 
  • You can probably use whole milk or a combo of cream and skim milk in place of Half & Half (though I have not personally tested it).
  • Fresh tortellini is usually found near the prepackaged cheeses in grocery stores.
  • See FAQ above for more info, tips and suggestions. 

Author: Mandy Rivers

Crock Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage, slow cooker Tortellini, Crockpot Tortellini, spaghetti sauce, italian sausage meatballs, uncooked pasta, fresh tortellini, no brown, no boil, uncooked, raw, easy, best, how to, marinara, italian sausage recipe
dinner
Italian
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4/16/26

Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole

Home » Casseroles » Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

Author: Mandy Rivers | Updated: 8/27/26

This easy meal has some of my favorite comfort food qualities.. it has pasta, it's cheesy, it's easy, the kids love it, it's affordable and... it's delicious!

I made this recipe to taste like Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta. I like Hamburger Helper. Is it full of overly processed ingredients? Yes. Is it good for me? No. Do I like it anyway? Yep!

I mean, what's not to like about pasta, ground beef and sauce? And this recipe is a casserole, no less! Even better!

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

I usually make this as a "noodle bake" that finishes in the oven but it's technically ready to eat as soon as you stir the noodles in. We're just popping it in the oven to melt the cheese on top and make sure everything is thoroughly heated. I included an alternative stove-top preparation in the recipe card below.

Unless I'm just really pressed for time, I pop it in the oven then use the 15-20 minutes it bakes to tidy up the kitchen, set the table, start loading the dishwasher, etc.

The ingredients are listed just below but let me point out that two of them are KEY in making this taste like Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta: Condensed Cheddar Cheese soup and Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix (so try not to substitute either!).

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESY BEEF & NOODLES CASSEROLE

The full (printable) recipe card is blow but, at a glance, this is all you'll need to make this recipe!

  • Ground beef
  • Egg noodles (uncooked)
  • Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix
  • Cheddar cheese soup
  • Milk
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Pepper & garlic powder
A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

3 TIPS & SUGGESTIONS

  1. You can easily make this stretch into a bigger batch. All you'll need to do is cook the whole 12-oz bag of noodles then add 1 cup shredded cheese and 1 cup pasta water when mixing everything together then bake in a 13x9 dish. You can add more ground beef if you like but that's up to you.
  2. Use medium or wide egg noodles (the wide still being pretty small). If using home-style, extra wide or dumpling size egg noodles, increase amount to 5 heaping cups.
  3. You can make this lean more toward stroganoff by using Cream of Mushroom soup instead of Cheddar Cheese soup and any mild white cheese instead of cheddar.
  4. If you make this ahead of time (and it has time to cool before going in the oven), you'll need to increase the baking time accordingly.
A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

FAQ ON CHEESY BEEF & NOODLE CASSEROLE

Can I use ground turkey, pork or chicken?  Of course!

Can regular Lipton Onion soup mix can be used instead of Beefy Onion?  Technically, yes, but I definitely like the Beefy Onion much better in this.

Can I use other creamed condensed soups instead of the Cheddar Cheese Soup?  Yes, but the Cheddar Cheese soup is key in making this taste so much like Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

Can another type of cheese be used on top of the casserole?  Sure! Any semi-soft cheese that melts well can be used.

Can this be frozen?  I'm not sure. I mean, I'm sure it can but I haven't my self so I'm not sure how to reheat it or if it will need additional liquid.

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

MORE EASY PASTA RECIPES FOR SUPPER

Helpful Hamburger Stroganoff - A family-size recipe for ground beef stroganoff like homemade Hamburger Helper that’s quick, easy and surprisingly delicious! 

Italian Sausage & Pasta with Tomato Cream - A super simple, 30-minute pasta recipe made with Italian sausage, cream, tomatoes, spices and parmesan cheese - that's it, just 6 ingredients! 

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta - A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients. 

3-Ingredient Sausage Goulash - A 20-minute meal using Italian sausage, macaroni noodles and tomato soup makes the easiest American-style goulash the whole family will love. 

French Onion Chicken Casserole - A creamy casserole with chicken, noodles and French onion soup, topped with toasty buttered bread cubes and crispy fried onions. 

Recipe for Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce (and no sour cream or tomatoes) very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta.

Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole

Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole
Yield: 4-6 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 35 Min

A super simple casserole with ground beef, noodles and cheese sauce very similar to Hamburger Helper's Cheesy Beef Pasta that can be baked or made as a 30-minute skillet meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 cups egg noodles (uncooked)
  • 1 envelope Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix
  • 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cook noodles per manufacturer's instructions for al dente preparation. Drain then set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, cook and crumble ground beef with pepper and garlic in a large skillet over high heat until meat is cooked through and nicely browned. Drain excess pan drippings from meat.
  4. Add soup mix, condensed soup and milk to ground beef in skillet. Stir and cook over medium heat until well combined and starting to bubble. Turn off heat.
  5. Add cooked noodles to skillet with beef mixture then gently stir.
  6. Pour everything into a small baking dish (1.5-2 quart) then top with shredded cheese.
  7. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
ALERNATIVE STOVE-TOP PREPRATION:
  1. Follow recipe through Step 5
  2. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover skillet with aluminum foil then let rest until cheese is melted (about 5 minutes). So long as everything was bubbly hot before noodles were stirred in, the cheese will melt just fine.

Notes

  • This makes 4 generous portions (for adult-sized appetites) or 6 smaller portions.
  • 4-oz cheese yields about 1 cup shredded.
  • See FAQ and TIPS sections above the recipe card for more helpful info.

Author: Mandy Rivers

beef and noodle bake, beef and noodle casserole, cheesy, cheese, hamburger helper, hamburger meat, ground beef, pasta, egg noodles, Cheesy Beef Pasta, recipe, best, campbell's, cheddar cheese soup, cheese soup, condensed soup, lipton onion, lipton beefy onion, soup mix
dinner
american
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3/11/26

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta

Home » Crock Pot » Chicken Taco Pasta

A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

Author: Mandy Rivers | Updated: 8/28/26

This is an easy recipe that tastes more like a freshly made stovetop meal than most of the dump-and-go slow cooker recipes we're used to.

Yes, this has the typical can of cream of chicken soup BUT we're stirring in hot pasta water with freshly grated cheese at the end which makes this taste less like something you settled for because it was easy and more like something you'd order at a restaurant!

This makes a big batch and, because of the magic (OK, science) behind pasta water, the leftovers heat up beautifully and the sauce will be just as glossy and delicious as when it was first prepared!

A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

There's a lot of wiggle-room with this recipe. Below are 8 of the key ingredients for Crock Pot Taco Chicken Pasta, why we use them and ideas for substitutions.

1. CHICKEN BREASTS 

  • You can use less chicken if needed. I've made this a few times with 2 large breasts.
  • You can absolutely use chicken thighs.
  • You could use leftover, rotisserie or canned chicken but you would need to reduce the cooking time by half (you'd really just be heating everything through and ensuring the onions were soft).

2. TACO SEASONING

  • Use any 1-oz regular taco seasoning mix.
  • You can substitute with 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning.
  • If you don't have taco seasoning, season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and paprika.
A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

3. ROTEL DICED TOMATOES

  • You can use any variety or similar brand of Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies.
  • You could substitute with one can petite diced tomatoes but drain it first.

4. CANNED GREEN CHILIES

  • These aren't a must so feel free to omit if needed.
  • They add a nip of acid to cut through all the richness from the creamy sauce.
A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

5. CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

  • You can use any traditional condensed creamed soup (celery, onion, mushroom, etc.).
  • I don't love reduced fat creamed soups in crock pot recipes. They're thickened with cornstarch which breaks down after being cooked so long.
  • Do not prepare the soup before adding to the recipe.

6. PASTA WATER

  • The hot, salty pasta water gives the sauce a glossy quality and helps bind it to the pasta.
  • Don't skimp on the salt. Use about 2 teaspoons table salt for every 2.5 quarts of water.
  • If you plan on reheating leftovers or if the dish will rest awhile before being served, consider saving an additional 1/2 cup to stir in when reheating. 
A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

7. MONTERREY JACK CHEESE

  • You absolutely need to shred the cheese for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking ingredients which make creamy sauces chalky and dry.
  • You can use any mild cheese for this (cheddar, colby jack, etc.) but I like how well monterrey jack melts into the sauce.
  • White American would be the best substitute.

8. PASTA

  • I used rigatoni in the batch pictured here but also like penne, shells and even spaghetti.
  • You can use any type of pasta (strand, bite-size, tubular, etc.)
  • Be sure not to overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook a few minutes in the sauce.
A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

MORE GOOD CROCK POT RECIPES TO TRY

Want more slow cooker recipes that won't make you feel like you've given up on life?? Here are the recipes I use time and time again that I look forward to (and my family doesn't groan over when they see me dragging out the crock pot)!

Crock Pot Swamp Potatoes - Smothered green beans, potatoes and smoked sausage cooked in a slow cooker with butter, onions and Cajun seasoning - the viral TikTok recipe that's insanely delicious! 

3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chicken Tacos - A super simple slow cooker recipe with only three ingredients for shredded Mexican chicken taco meat perfect for tacos, burritos, rice bowls and more. 

Slow Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole - A simple but delicious casserole recipe with wild rice, chicken tenderloins and mushrooms made easy in a crock pot. 

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken - An easy Asian-inspired slow cooker chicken recipe with honey and garlic similar to Bourbon Chicken the whole family will love! 

Southern Style Crock Pot Chicken & Rice - An easy slow cooker recipe for a Carolina favorite made with tender stewed chicken and long grain rice. No precooking the chicken and no instant rice. 

Recipe for Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta

A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta
Yield: 8 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 5 M

A simple slow cooker recipe for cheesy chicken with pasta in a creamy sauce made with taco seasoning and easy-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can rotel tomatoes
  • 1 4-oz can green chilies
  • 4-oz cream cheese
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 8-oz monterrey jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Add cream of chicken soup, rotel, green chilies, onion and taco seasoning to a medium-sized crock pot then stir well.
  2. Place chicken breasts on top of soup mixture then season with garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste.
  3. Cover and cook on Low for 5-7 hours or High for 2-4 hours.
  4. Remove chicken and set aside to cool a bit. Once cooled, shred or cut into bite-sized pieces. I do this while pasta is cooking.
  5. Cut cream cheese into 6-8 cubes then add to crock pot.
  6. Cook pasta in liberally salted water, reserving 1/2 cup hot pasta water just before draining.
  7. Shred cheese, setting aside 1/4 cup to add on top of finished dish later.
  8. Add shredded cheese and hot pasta water to crock pot then stir well. Taste for seasoning then add more if needed.
  9. Stir in cooked pasta and shredded chicken then top with reserved 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • See section above about ingredients and substitutions.
  • Do not prepare the soup before adding to the recipe.
  • Use about 2 teaspoons salt for every 2.5 quarts of water when cooking the pasta.

Author: Mandy Rivers

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dinner
American
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