Recipes & Cooking International Recipes Italian Recipes 19 Slow Cooker Italian Recipes for Low-Key Weeknight Dinners Try one of these easy slow cooker dinners tonight! By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 2, 2024 Close Photo: Blaine Moats Come home to a comforting hands-off dinner with our array of Italian slow cooker recipes. With slow cooker makeovers for takeout Italian beef and just-like-Grandma-made slow cooker Italian soups, these easy slow cooker Italian recipes will transport your taste buds. 01 of 19 Spicy Turkey Lasagna View Recipe Andy Lyons Give lightened lasagna complex flavor with dried oregano and crushed red pepper. They flavor the layered pasta's lean ground turkey and rich cheesy filling. Serve the Italian slow cooker recipe with a fresh salad (and a bottle of Italian red wine, if you like) to complete the cozy feast. The 7 Best Small Slow Cookers for Entertaining, Meal Prep, and More, According to Testing 02 of 19 Pasta with Beef-Fennel Ragu View Recipe RJT LLC Scott Little This two-part recipe might be one of the easiest pasta party entrées you'll ever whip up. Start the slow cooker with Italian beef, fennel, and tomato ragu first, and allow it to simmer low and slow from breakfast until about dinnertime. For the final 20 minutes, stir in a box of no-boil penne and allow it to cook until al dente. That's it! 03 of 19 Pesto Chicken Sandwiches View Recipe Blaine Moats Transform a humble loaf of ciabatta bread into a memorable meal with this slow cooker Italian chicken masterpiece. The secret lies in the combination of Mediterranean ingredients in the sandwich filling. Chicken breasts simmered with tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers make for a brilliant display of color, texture, and flavor. 04 of 19 Mushroom Risotto with Peas View Recipe Jason Donnelly Silky risotto is hard to resist, but it can be a hassle to make on the stove top. Here, the slow cooker does all the "stirring" for you. Arborio rice is short and plump so develops a creamy texture as it soaks up the chicken broth. Pair the grain with fresh mushrooms, peas, and garlic in a white wine broth for an elegant slow cooker Italian rice dinner that is irresistibly smooth. 05 of 19 Italian-Style Slow Cooker Meatloaf View Recipe We're giving the classic American comfort food a complete Mediterranean makeover. This slow cooker Italian beef meatloaf recipe features parsley, garlic, and balsamic vinegar for a taste of Italy in a picky-eater-friendly package. (Psst...try leftover slices between two slices of toasted bread.) 06 of 19 Slow Cooker Lentils Bolognese View Recipe Jacob Fox This vegetarian take on classic bolognese sauce is loaded with lentils, carrots, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. It all cooks in the slow cooker for 10 hours. Mushrooms add a meaty flavor and texture. 07 of 19 Beef and Carrot Ragu View Recipe Andy Lyons Wide, ridged noodles are the perfect accompaniment to this chunky slow cooker pasta sauce featuring carrots and roma tomatoes. The thick ragu clings to the pasta and tender slow cooker Italian beef short ribs. The ragu calls for a half cup of red wine: Crack open a canned wine and you'll have enough left over for two small glasses to savor with dinner. 08 of 19 Warm Eggplant and Kale Panzanella View Recipe Blaine Moats Salads might seem surprising from the slow cooker, but the fresh eggplant and bell peppers in this panzanella benefit from its hassle-free heat. Combined with tender kale and toasted bread crumbs, the Italian slow cooker recipe makes a low-calorie—yet surprisingly filling—entrée. To please those with heartier appetites, top each serving with grilled steak, shrimp, or salmon. 09 of 19 Italian Pork with Sweet Potatoes View Recipe Blaine Moats Dig into fork-tender pork shoulder roast, no smoker required. A fennel seed rub coats this pork with extraordinary licoricelike flavor; golden orange potatoes add the right amount of sweetness to the Italian slow cooker recipe. Test Kitchen Tip: Shred any leftover meat and fold it into frittata batter for brunch the next day or stuff into rolls for sandwiches for lunch or dinner. 10 of 19 Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Italian Sausage and Sweet Red Pepper View Recipe Karla Conrad Steamed artichokes are easier than ever when you employ this handy countertop appliance. Filling enough to be an entrée but ideal as a showy dinner party side, these artichokes stuffed with slow cooker Italian sausage will have everyone begging for the recipe. How to Cook Artichokes 11 of 19 Saucy Ravioli with Meatballs View Recipe Blaine Moats Score three affordable supermarket items—spaghetti sauce, frozen ravioli, and frozen Italian meatballs—to get a head start on this easy supper. The only other things you'll need to complete the slow cooker Italian meatball and pasta entrée are a few hours of cook time and two types of cheese. 12 of 19 Italian Braised Chicken with Fennel and Cannellini View Recipe Scott Little Gluten-free Italian dinners do exist! And you won't miss the pasta or pizza crust here. Fennel provides subtle sweetness to the simmered sauce that blankets this slow cooker Italian chicken recipe. Versatile cannellini beans and yellow bell peppers keep the meal hearty and healthy. 13 of 19 Meatball Sandwiches View Recipe Brie Passano Simmer homemade beef meatballs in your slow cooker to create this easy Italian dinner idea. Serve the saucy meatballs with crusty bread, slices of mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. 14 of 19 Slow Cooker Pumpkin Farrotto View Recipe Jacob Fox This easy slow cooker Italian recipe is our go-to for dinner parties and weeknight meals alike. It's as simple as tossing ingredients in your slow cooker but the results are impressive and totally indulgent. 15 of 19 Gluten Free Supreme Pizza Fondue View Recipe Serve this slow cooker Italian dinner with fresh veggies, cheese, and bread for dipping. For more flavor, try adding garlic and dried oregano to bottled sauce when making the recipe. 16 of 19 Slow Cooker Ribollita View Recipe Jason Donnelly Ribollita is a Tuscan soup made with bread, beans, and vegetables. The broth is flavored with garlic, thyme, and Parmesan cheese. This Italian slow cooker stew is best served with a drizzle of olive oil. 17 of 19 Minestrone View Recipe Andy Lyons This take on minestrone soup is loaded with beef and bow tie pasta. A mixture of kidney and cannellini beans beans adds loads of texture to this Italian soup. Top this slow cooker recipe with grated Parmesan cheese. 18 of 19 Slow Cooker Ziti with Italian Chicken Sausage View Recipe Andy Lyons If you're in a hurry, we've also included a variation for making this slow cooker pasta dish in the pressure cooker. You'll love the flavorful sauce made with chicken sausage, garlic, and Italian seasoning. 19 of 19 Fast or Slow Seafood Cioppino View Recipe Jason Donnelly This Italian slow cooker soup is loaded with halibut, shrimp, and crab. The seafood is brightened up with white wine, tomatoes, and clam juice. Serve it with a crusty baguette for dipping. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit