Skinny Slow Cooker – Italian Style Penne

This is one of those meals that you can make somewhat last minute. It only takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours in the slow cooker and it’s wonderfully quick to throw together. It’s perfect for those nights when you have to drop the kids of at practice and run errands, but want to get dinner started first so it’s ready when you get back.

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Slow Cooker Italian Style Penne

Ingredients

1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, low or no sodium
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, no sugar added, drained and rinsed
1/2 pound dry, whole wheat penne pasta
1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 cup low sodium, chicken or vegetable broth, no sugar added
Balsamic Vinegar to taste
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

For this recipe, you will want to layer your ingredients.

Place the pasta on the bottom of your slow cooker insert.

On top of that, pour the diced tomatoes.

Then add the beans.

Pour the broth over the top.

Sprinkle the Italian herb seasoning, garlic and onion powder over the top and cook on low for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until pasta is cooked to your liking. It's okay to lift the lid on this one to check.

When finished, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to taste.

Top with a small amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

http://skinnyms.com/italian-style-penne/

http://twitter.com/Staffpurrson Staffpurrson
Will this work as well with regular (NOT whole wheat) pasta? And with rotini or elbows as well as penne? I wouldn't attempt this with flat noodles.
- skinnyms
  Regular will work but the small shells might get mushy.
Wolfe518
How could you incorporate some ground beef into this meal?…brown it first & add on top of diced tomatoes?
- http://skinnyms.com Skinny Ms.
  Yes, brown the meat until no longer pink, add as one of the layers in the slow-cooker and follow the same instructions for cook time.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=759952242 Kim Sztajer Parnis
I made this recipe today. It was super simple. Unfortunately my whole wheat noodles turned to mush! I think I would try this again, but cook the noodles traditionally and then add them at the end.
- http://skinnyms.com Skinny Ms.
  Kim, Let us know how it turns out!
tennisgal
Sounds good in theory, but noodles ended up being a huge lump of mush. If tried again, would make on the stove/traditional way.
- http://skinnyms.com Skinny Ms.
  Keep us posted!
k8
I made this and it was not delicious. =( From the photo it's obvious the noodles were overcooked and I actually wanted that. But I don't think whole wheat pasta can be overcooked??? It was mushy. I also had to add more broth to keep it from getting dry. BUT the spices and sauce were good that is why I gave it 2 stars. Although, I probably will not make this again.
- http://skinnyms.com Skinny Ms.
  Sorry to hear that. Maybe you will have better luck making this on top of the stove. Thanks so much for the feedback.
alison
loved the idea of this – simple and tasty but in actuality it was way too mushy.
Brett
Love this recipe, perfect for when I'm entertaining all my vegetarian friends!
Amanda W
How would I add chicken to this? I think I will also keep my noodles out and cook everything else together and then add the noodles after cooking them on the stove top.
- http://skinnyms.com Skinny Ms.
  Amanada, Add the cubed cooked chicken at the beginning.

Skinny Slow Cooker – Italian Style Penne

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