Slow Cooking: Spicy Sausage w/Farfalle, Broccolini & Mushrooms

It's a rainy day, and that means the slow cooker is set and the house is cozy and everyone is lazing around. Today, the kitchen smells like an Italian Nonna is here: spicy sausage, garlic, tomato sauce, yum!

I've had a few friends ask if noodles work in the crock pot. While I still think the best way to cook pasta is on the stove, it doesn't come out terrible if you add towards the end of your slow cooker time -- just be sure there's enough liquid to help cook it through, and don't leave it on the warm setting for too long before serving as there's a risk of it turning too soft. But, if you keep an eye on it, you shouldn't have a problem making a one-pot pasta dish, like the one below:

Spicy Sausage with Farfalle, Broccolini and Mushrooms
Put some spice in your life!
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb hot Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 large red pepper, sliced and diced
  • 1/2 lb Crimini mushrooms, chopped
  • 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch Broccolini, chopped
  • 1 jar tomato sauce
  • 1 box Farfalle pasta
  • S/P to taste
  • Grated parmesan cheese

To Do:
  • Crumble the sausage (remove casings as needed) into the bottom of a slow cooker crock.
  • Add in the garlic, red pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes and a pinch or two of red pepper flakes and stir to combine. 
  • Put on the 4 hour setting and go organize your hall closet or something.
  • At 3.5 hours, stir in the Broccolini, tomato sauce and Farfalle and re-cover.
  • 30 minutes later, your pasta should be cooked through.
  • Let cool a bit and season with salt/pepper as needed.
  • Scoop into bowls, sprinkle with grated cheese, and enjoy.

xoxo,
LPG