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crockpot cheesy rotini - featured image

Crockpot Cheesy Rotini: Easy 4-Day Meal Prep Lunch

  • Author: maria_scott
  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A creamy, hearty slow cooker pasta dish that is perfect for meal prep. This one-pot meal features rotini cooked directly in the sauce for perfect texture, making it a convenient and delicious lunch option for up to five days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
  • 1 block (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  2. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker and whisk gently.
  3. Add uncooked rotini, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to the slow cooker. Stir to submerge pasta.
  4. Sprinkle the cooked ground meat over the pasta and sauce mixture.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until pasta is tender.
  6. In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese with half of the shredded cheddar to form a paste.
  7. Stir the pot gently, then add the cream cheese mixture and remaining cheddar. Stir continuously until melted and smooth.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Notes

For best results, cook the pasta directly in the liquid rather than boiling it first to prevent mushiness. If the mixture looks too thick after cooking, add a splash of broth. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it cools, so leave a little extra liquid in the pot. This recipe can be made vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding spinach, or dairy-free using vegan substitutes.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 container (approx.
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4
  • Sodium: 650
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 35
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 25

Keywords: crockpot recipe, meal prep lunch, cheesy rotini, slow cooker pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, one pot meal

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Find it online: https://foodestic.com/crockpot-cheesy-rotini-easy-4-day-meal-prep-lunch/