Imagine a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that comes together in just 25 minutes with minimal effort - sounds too good to be true? Our Crockpot Express Ham and Cheese Pasta is about to become your new weeknight dinner hero! This mouthwatering recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal that will have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy parent, a cooking novice, or just someone who loves delicious comfort food, this recipe is your ticket to an effortless and incredibly tasty dinner.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by dicing ham into small, uniform cubes and measuring out all other ingredients precisely.
- Add pasta to the Crockpot Express inner pot, ensuring it is evenly distributed across the bottom of the cooking vessel.
- Pour cream of mushroom soup and water over the pasta, stirring gently to ensure pasta is partially submerged and coated.
- Sprinkle diced ham evenly across the top of the pasta mixture, distributing it throughout the pot.
- Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Close the Crockpot Express lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position.
- Select the "Pasta" or "Manual" setting and set cooking time for 4-5 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, perform a quick pressure release to prevent overcooking.
- Open lid and immediately stir in shredded cheese, allowing residual heat to melt the cheese completely.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Use short, sturdy pasta like penne or rotini that can hold up well under pressure cooking.
- Ham selection matters: Opt for pre-cooked ham to ensure food safety and consistent texture.
- Cheese melting hack: Let the residual heat melt the cheese for a smoother, more even distribution.
- Prevent overcooking: A quick pressure release is crucial to maintain pasta's perfect al dente texture.
- Customize your dish: Experiment with different cheese blends or add frozen vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Adjust seasoning carefully: Start with less salt, as cream of mushroom soup can be naturally salty.
- For a richer flavor, consider using chicken broth instead of water for added depth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 225kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: mg
