22 Italian-Inspired Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker

Updated February 25, 2021

Let your slow cooker do the work with these Italian-inspired recipes. Your kitchen will fill with intoxicating aromas and you’ll end up with a delicious, hearty meal. Recipes like Spicy Chicken Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Turkey Florentine Meatballs Over Orzo are comforting, warm and perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This rustic stew cooks all day in the slow cooker so you can come home to a comforting, hot dinner. Not a fan of polenta? Try this healthy chicken dinner over pasta instead. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Spicy Chicken Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of spending hours at the stove making an Italian tomato sauce for your lasagna, let your slow cooker do the work. Your family will love the chicken and mushrooms in this makeover recipe of traditional lasagna. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

3 of 22

Nonna's Spaghetti & Meatballs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The meatballs and sauce are cooked in the slow cooker for this traditional Italian spaghetti and meatballs recipe. You could also serve the meatballs over creamy polenta or on a sandwich with melted provolone. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2012

Advertisement

4 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

5 of 22

Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sure, the slow cooker's great for stews and soups, but it also happens to make a mean lasagna! In this ingenious slow-cooker recipe, all you have to do is chop your veggies, then layer the ingredients (raw) into the crockpot. Serve with: Garlic bread and a green salad. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2011

6 of 22

Slow-Cooker Turkey Florentine Meatballs Over Orzo

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Slow-cooker turkey meatballs are a refreshing departure from typical beef meatballs. The chunky marinara sauce and tender orzo will put this entrée on your list of easy weeknight favorites. Garnish with crushed red pepper, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Turn classic chicken parm into meatballs with this easy load-and-go appetizer recipe with a cheesy surprise inside. Making meatballs for a party? Switch your crock pot to warm for serving all party long. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2017

8 of 22

Slow-Cooker Italian Vegetable & Farro Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The farro­­an ancient whole grain rich in iron and fiber--and butternut squash make this slow-cooker soup hearty and filling. If you're looking for an easy way to work whole grains into your diet, this is it. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

9 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chicken Marsala

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This slow-cooker chicken Marsala recipe gets its full flavor from plenty of mushrooms and fragrant shallots. Whole-wheat pasta soaks up the rich sauce. Round it out with a simple green salad for a comforting healthy dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Slow-Cooker Pork Ragout over Casarecce Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll want this slow-cooker ragout on a fall or winter evening when you're hosting a crowd for dinner. Substitute beef brisket or chuck roast, if you'd like--you'll just need to cook it for an additional hour or two. Garnish with fresh rosemary and oregano leaves, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

11 of 22

Slow-Cooker Italian Turkey Sausage & Squash Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Kids will love this lasagna made with turkey sausage in the Crock Pot--and parents will love that it's packed with vitamin-rich zucchini and squash! The veggies also add moisture to the slow-cooker lasagna, which keeps it from drying out. Serve with garlic toast, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

12 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Tomato Ragout over Polenta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cooking the polenta in chicken stock infuses it with robust savoriness, and melting the Parmesan cheese into the polenta further adds a salty, nutty quality. It's the perfect balance to the acidic, tomato-forward sauce. And while this slow-cooker chicken dish is fancy enough to serve to guests at a dinner party, the use of presliced mushrooms and quick-cooking polenta keeps the hands-on time to a minimum. Garnish with fresh oregano and basil leaves, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Slow-Cooker Pork Sausage Bolognese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's the meaty, saucy pasta that we all crave. If you have any slow-cooker bolognese leftovers, freeze them and reheat on a cold night when you're in need of a hot, comforting dish. Serve with a simple, crisp salad and crusty bread. For the prettiest appearance, sprinkle with whole fresh basil leaves instead of chopped oregano. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

14 of 22

Slow-Cooker Minestrone with Smoky White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An abundance of vegetables, beans and pasta makes this soup so hearty you'll hardly notice the lack of meat. The drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of Parmesan at the end adds a special touch to this slow-cooker minestrone. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

15 of 22

Slow-Cooker Octopus with Red Wine Sauce Over Linguine

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Don't be afraid to put octopus in the slow cooker! Expand your palate and enjoy this tender, light meat that tastes similar to chicken. This red wine sauce is very rich, briny and deeply flavored, so much so that you only need to serve half of it with the octopus. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Slow-Cooker Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes & Parmesan

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Searching for an easy yet elegant dinner-party dish? This recipe is for you. The lightly charred cherry tomatoes (you can also use grape tomatoes) are not only a vivid topping but also add sweet smokiness that complements the polenta. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

17 of 22

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Marinara Over Linguine

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegetarian marinara is a fantastic way to incorporate vegetables into a meal. Not only will adults love it but kids will, too! You can easily make it on a weekend, and reheat for a quick Monday night meal. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

18 of 22

Slow-Cooker Caprese Spaghetti Squash with White Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe feels and looks indulgent without being high in calories. The "caprese" components--fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and tomatoes--beautifully shine through, while the white beans add protein and a creamy texture. If you can't find fresh small mozzarella balls, tear a large ball of fresh mozzarella into small pieces. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Slow-Cooker Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's hard to believe this filling dish that's full of rich flavor is also good for you! This recipe creatively combines "melted" butternut squash with tender cooked barley for an ultra-creamy, ultra-comforting risotto. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

20 of 22

Slow-Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Oregano, roasted red pepper, and garlic bring flavor to the forefront in this recipe. Let it marinate and cook in the slow cooker for a few hours, and then place on a bun with provolone cheese for an incredibly delicious meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

21 of 22

Italian Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This simple Italian-inspired recipe combines pork shoulder with aromatic fennel. As the pork cooks, its juices drip down to flavor the sweet potatoes that are nestled in the bottom of the slow cooker. Serve with steamed green beans for a complete meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup Freezer Pack

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Your favorite restaurant soup just got easier and healthier with this freezer-to-crock-pot recipe. If you keep a special bottle of olive oil on hand for stand-out dishes, this is the recipe to pull it out for. The headiness of the fruity olive oil truly elevates the flavors in this Italian meal-prep slow-cooker soup. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next