This Slow Cooker Feta Tomato Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish made effortlessly in your NESCO slow cooker. Sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, and fresh herbs combine to create a rich sauce that’s tossed with your favorite pasta for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
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Ingredients:
- 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 shallot, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (8-oz.) block feta cheese
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 10 oz. pasta (such as penne, rotini, or shells)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions:
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- Set your NESCO slow cooker to the low setting.
- Place the cherry tomatoes, quartered shallot, and smashed garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with a pinch of kosher salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to coat evenly.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the feta. Lay the thyme sprigs over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or on high for 1.5–2 hours, until the tomatoes are soft and bursting and the feta is creamy.
- About 20 minutes before the slow cooker is done, cook the pasta according to package instructions in a pot of salted boiling water. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Remove the thyme sprigs from the slow cooker. Use a spoon or spatula to mash the feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Stir in the lemon zest (if using) and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm and enjoy!
This recipe pairs perfectly with a side salad or crusty bread. Using your NESCO Slow Cooker makes this dish effortless and bursting with flavor!