Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta: A Cozy, Hands-Off Dinner Your Family Will Love
When it comes to comforting meals that feel like they’ve been simmering all day, few dishes compare to a rich, savory bowl of Bolognese. Traditionally made with beef or pork and slowly cooked on the stovetop, the classic meat sauce is deeply flavorful but often time-consuming. That’s why Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta has become one of the most popular modern twists on the traditional recipe. It delivers the same cozy depth of flavor but with a lighter protein and a completely hands-off cooking method.
Imagine aromatic vegetables, tender chicken, crushed tomatoes, Italian herbs, and garlic slowly melding together for hours while you go about your day. By dinnertime, you’re rewarded with a thick, velvety sauce that tastes like it came from a restaurant — and all you have to do is boil some pasta or stir dry pasta directly into the sauce near the end.
This recipe is perfect for busy families, meal prep lovers, and anyone looking for a wholesome dinner with minimal effort. Whether you’re coming home from work, school, sports, or errands, there’s something incredibly comforting about lifting the lid of the slow cooker and being greeted by the warm, savory aroma of Bolognese.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about making the best Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta — including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, variations, helpful tips, serving suggestions, storage methods, and more. By the end, you’ll be ready to add this recipe to your permanent rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta
Here’s why this recipe stands out:
1. It’s hands-off and incredibly convenient.
Once everything is in the slow cooker, you can walk away. No hovering over a pot or worrying about burning the sauce. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
2. Chicken makes the dish lighter but still rich.
Chicken Bolognese is a fantastic alternative for those who prefer leaner meat or want a break from beef or pork.
3. The flavor builds slowly over time.
The low-and-slow cooking process enhances natural sweetness in the vegetables and deepens the tomato flavor.
4. Perfect for meal prep.
The sauce freezes beautifully and reheats even better, making it ideal for batch cooking.
5. Family-friendly and versatile.
Whether served over pasta, zucchini noodles, baked potatoes, or rice, this sauce fits easily into any dinner routine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below are the core ingredients that give this recipe its signature flavor. Most of them are pantry staples, making this the perfect “last-minute but still special” dinner.
– For the Chicken Bolognese Sauce –
- 1.5–2 lbs ground chicken or cooked shredded chicken
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
– For the Pasta –
- 12–16 oz uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- Additional broth if cooking pasta directly in the slow cooker
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Freshly grated Parmesan
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
1. Prep the vegetables.
Chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and sauté them in olive oil for 3–5 minutes to develop flavor. (Optional but recommended.)
2. Add everything to the slow cooker.
Place chicken, vegetables, tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and seasoning into the slow cooker. Stir well until combined.
3. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
The flavors will deepen as the sauce slowly thickens.
4. Shred or break up the chicken.
If using whole chicken breasts or thighs, shred them with two forks and stir back into the sauce.
5. Decide how to cook the pasta.
Option A: Cook pasta separately on the stovetop.
Option B: Stir dry pasta into the slow cooker 20–30 minutes before serving with extra broth.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Add more salt, pepper, herbs, or Parmesan as needed.
7. Serve hot.
Top the pasta with spoonfuls of chicken Bolognese, fresh basil, and plenty of Parmesan.
Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chop onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Optional: sauté in olive oil for 3–5 minutes.
- Add chicken, vegetables, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and seasonings to slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Shred chicken if using whole breasts or thighs and stir back into sauce.
- Cook pasta separately or stir dry pasta into slow cooker 20–30 minutes before serving with extra broth.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve with basil and Parmesan.
Notes
Tips for the Best Chicken Bolognese
Sauté the vegetables first.
This step adds incredible depth. If you’re in a rush, you can skip it — but you’ll thank yourself if you take the time.
Use crushed tomatoes, not diced.
Crushed tomatoes help create a smoother and thicker sauce.
Add Parmesan rind while cooking.
If you have a rind, throw it into the slow cooker for unbeatable flavor.
Don’t skip the tomato paste.
It intensifies the classic Bolognese richness.
Cook pasta separately for the best texture.
The sauce won’t be overly thickened, and the pasta holds its shape better.
Variations
1. Creamy Chicken Bolognese
Add ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half at the end.
2. Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili paste.
3. Veggie-Loaded Bolognese
Blend in zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
4. Dairy-Free
Use dairy-free Parmesan or omit cheese entirely.
Serving Suggestions
- Over freshly cooked pasta
- On zucchini noodles for a low-carb option
- Inside baked spaghetti squash
- Over creamy mashed potatoes
- With toasted garlic bread
- As a filling for lasagna roll-ups
Storage & Freezing
Refrigerator: 4–5 days
Freezer: 3 months
Reheating: Stovetop on medium or microwave in 1-minute intervals
Bolognese gets better after a day or two, making it perfect for leftovers.
