Dump uncooked bowtie pasta in the slow cooker and 4 other ingredients to get a meal so delicious your whole family will be begging for more.

 

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Springtime Bowtie Pasta

This creamy, comforting pasta comes together with just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker. It’s the kind of no-fuss meal that feels like a warm hug—simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy days.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 2–2½ hours on LOW
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 12 oz uncooked bowtie (farfalle) pasta

• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

• 1 cup frozen green peas (no need to thaw)

• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Optional for greasing: butter or nonstick spray

Instructions

1. Prep the slow cooker
Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.

2. Layer the pasta
Spread the uncooked bowtie pasta evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.

3. Make the sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cream of mushroom soup until smooth and combined.

4. Pour and press
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the dry pasta. Gently press down any pasta pieces that are not submerged to ensure even cooking.

5. Add the peas
Sprinkle the frozen peas over the top. Do not stir—just let them settle into the sauce.

6. Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2½ hours, until the pasta is tender but not mushy. Avoid lifting the lid during the first 1½ hours to maintain heat and moisture.

7. Add cheese and combine
Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan over the top. Gently fold everything together until the cheese melts and the pasta, peas, and sauce are well combined.

8. Adjust consistency
If the mixture is too loose, let it sit covered on WARM for 10–15 minutes. If too thick, stir in a splash of warm broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency.

9. Serve
Taste and add salt and pepper if desired. Serve hot, with extra Parmesan at the table.

Variations & Tips

• Add protein: Stir in 1–1½ cups cooked, diced ham or shredded rotisserie chicken when adding the Parmesan. Let sit on WARM for 10 minutes to heat through.

• Swap the soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery work well for a different flavor.

• Mix up the vegetables: Substitute frozen peas with a 1-cup blend of mixed vegetables.

• Richer sauce: Replace ½ cup of the chicken broth with half-and-half or whole milk, adding during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent curdling.

• Watch your slow cooker: If your cooker runs hot, check at the 1½-hour mark and switch to WARM once the pasta is tender to avoid overcooking.

• Leftovers: Reheat with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce before warming.

Enjoy this simple, creamy pasta as a comforting main dish or a hearty side. It’s a true slow cooker gem that the whole family will love.