Crockpot Kielbasa Pesto Farfalle: Dump-and-Go Dinner

This slow cooker dinner takes just 10 minutes of prep: slice the kielbasa, toss in the pasta, spinach, pesto, cream cheese, and mozzarella, then walk away. Hours later, you come back to a bubbling pot of creamy, cheesy pasta with smoky sausage. It's the ultimate dump-and-forget meal for busy weeknights.

Smoked kielbasa, bow-tie pasta, and baby spinach are tossed with basil pesto, then topped with cream cheese and mozzarella. The slow cooker does all the work, melting everything into a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every bite. This is a one-pot dinner that feels indulgent but comes together with almost no effort.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker gently steams the pasta and sausage together, allowing the flavors to meld while the cream cheese and mozzarella melt into a luscious sauce.

The low, slow heat prevents the dairy from curdling, so you get a smooth, creamy result every time. Because everything cooks in one pot, the pasta absorbs the pesto and sausage juices, making every bite deeply flavorful.

The combination of smoked kielbasa and basil pesto is a match made in heaven—the smoky, savory sausage balances the bright, herbal pesto.

The spinach wilts into the sauce, adding color and a mild earthiness without overpowering the dish. This recipe is forgiving: you can swap the pasta shape, use a different pesto, or add extra cheese, and it still works beautifully.

Notes and substitutions

Use a good-quality basil pesto for the best flavor—look for one with extra virgin olive oil and pine nuts. If you prefer a milder taste, use half pesto and half olive oil.

The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature before adding, so it melts more smoothly. Whole-milk mozzarella gives the creamiest texture; low-moisture part-skim also works.

This recipe calls for farfalle, but any short pasta shape works—penne, rigatoni, or rotini are all good choices. If you use a thicker pasta, you may need to add a little extra liquid or cook longer.

Smoked kielbasa is already fully cooked, so it just needs to heat through and infuse the dish with flavor. For a spicier version, use andouille or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

• smoked kielbasa: Smoked turkey sausage or andouille sausage (adjust heat as desired)
• farfalle pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or rotini (choose shapes that hold sauce well)
• fresh baby spinach: Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (reduce to 1 cup)
• basil pesto: Sun-dried tomato pesto or a dairy-free pesto if needed (check labels for allergens)

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon
• Serving spoon