The day I discovered my slow cooker could make pasta was a life-changing moment. I used to think my Crockpot was only good for slow-cooker pulled pork or cozy slow-cooker soup recipes. But then one year I tried making slow-cooker macaroni and cheese for Thanksgiving—and that decision has since spurred my love affair with all sorts of slow-cooker pasta recipes. This slow-cooker Boursin chicken pasta is one of my family’s favorites.

This recipe is similar to the viral baked feta pasta, but instead we nestle two blocks of Boursin cheese into the slow cooker to melt into the pasta as it cooks, creating the creamiest, divinely rich cheese sauce that you’ll ever make at home.

If you’ve never tried or heard of Boursin cheese, let me enlighten you. It’s a soft, spreadable processed cheese commonly known as Gournay cheese that’s derived mainly from cow’s milk and flavored with herbs, spices and other aromatic ingredients such as garlic, onions or shallots. In terms of flavor and consistency, it’s similar to goat cheese, being very creamy and possessing a rich, tangy and savory flavor.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta

• Chicken breasts: Slow-cooker chicken recipes are always a smash hit. The meat is always tender and juicy, making any slow-cooker dinner rich in healthy, lean protein.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth functions as a braising liquid for the chicken breasts and doubles as a flavorful way to cook and season the pasta. If you have homemade chicken broth, this is a terrific recipe in which to use it.
• Italian herbs and spices: A blend of Italian herbs, salt and pepper flavors the chicken broth and then gets absorbed into the chicken as it cooks so every bite is jam-packed with flavor.
• Garlic: While there is garlic in the Boursin cheese, also adding a few cloves of garlic to the chicken and broth adds extra depth to the dish.
• Heavy cream: A touch of heavy cream adds richness for a supremely creamy cheese sauce. For a lighter option, you can swap in half-and-half cream, if desired.
• Pasta: Cavatappi is our favorite pasta shape for this slow-cooker Boursin chicken cheese pasta. The tubular corkscrews fill with creamy sauce so every bite is as cheesy as possible.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: To prevent the pasta from becoming greasy, opt for vacuum-packed sun-dried tomatoes rather than those packed in oil.
• Boursin cheese: This versatile soft cheese can be crumbled over salads, stirred into sauces, melted over a juicy burger patty or served on a charcuterie board. If you haven’t hopped on the Boursin bandwagon yet, this recipe ought to do the trick.
• Parmesan: The salty sharpness of Parmesan pairs perfectly with the creamy, pungent flavor of Boursin cheese.

Taste of Home

Taste of Home

When cold weather arrives, nothing hits the spot more than warm and hearty comfort foods—and beef Manhattan is a new addition to my meal plan this winter. This beef slow-cooker recipe piles tender and juicy roast beef atop a dollop of creamy mashed potatoes and a savory slice of thick garlic bread. What’s not to love about that?

What’s even better is that this recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients, and your slow cooker does most of the work. This dish is also a tasty way to use up any leftover pot roast or mashed potatoes. Simply stack the reheated leftovers on a freshly baked slice of Texas toast and dinner is ready to be served!

What is beef Manhattan?

This open-faced sandwich owes its name to workers at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Indianapolis, Indiana, who enjoyed a similar dish while training in Manhattan during World War II. It quickly became a diner favorite in Indiana, and the recipe spread throughout the Midwest from there. It’s also known as a Manhattan hotshot or hot beef sandwich. A popular variation uses turkey in place of the roast beef to make a turkey Manhattan.

Ingredients for Beef Manhattan

• Olive oil: Olive oil is used to sear the beef, adding flavor and a caramelized crust to the meat.
• Salt and pepper: The chuck roast is seasoned simply yet generously with salt and pepper.
• Beef chuck roast: The heart of this slow-cooker beef Manhattan recipe is a 3-pound beef chuck roast.
• Low-sodium beef broth: A splash of low-sodium beef broth is used to deglaze the pan after searing the meat.
• Brown gravy mix: A packet of brown gravy mix adds a savory flavor to the beef and contributes to a flavorful au jus. If you don’t have any brown gravy packets on hand, you can make homemade brown gravy mix with bouillon granules, flour, pepper and butter.
• Onion soup mix: A packet of onion soup mix adds more savory flavor to the beef. You can easily make onion soup mix from scratch with simple ingredients from your pantry. If you have leftover mix, put it to use in other recipes with onion soup mix.
• Red wine vinegar: The sharp flavor and fruity aroma of red wine vinegar add complexity to this dish’s flavors.
• Mashed potatoes: Beef Manhattan is served atop mashed potatoes. Use your favorite mashed potato recipe or try our top-rated creamy mashed potatoes if you can’t decide. You can even use instant mashed potatoes if you prefer. Level them up with a few of our tips for making instant mashed potatoes taste better, such as mixing in a handful of herbs or some garlic.
• Garlic toast: Thick-cut Texas toast-style garlic bread provides a hearty base for an open-faced beef Manhattan sandwich. Frozen Texas toast keeps this recipe as easy as can be.
• Fresh chopped parsley: For a pop of color and fresh herb flavor, top each serving of beef Manhattan with fresh chopped parsley.

Taste of Home

If you’ve got a slow cooker, we’ve got a recipe you have to try! This slow-cooker ranch chicken is a comforting meal that cooks in a single pot, minimizing the number of dishes for cleanup. Creamy, flavorful and warming, it’s one of those easy chicken dinners that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

In this recipe, chicken breasts are cooked slowly until they become tender and shreddable. Cream cheese and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup are added to give the chicken a rich, creamy consistency, and the dish is served over rice or noodles. It’s a wonderful set-it-and-forget-it meal, and it’ll make you want to keep more slow-cooker chicken breast recipes within reach!

Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken broth: Use store-bought chicken broth for the quickest preparation. If you prefer to make chicken broth from scratch, it will elevate all the flavors.
• Ranch salad dressing mix: You can find packets of this popular seasoning mix at the grocery store, or make your own ranch dressing and dip mix.
• Chicken breasts: We call for boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can substitute boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
• Cream of chicken soup: Condensed soup is a miracle worker for casseroles and sauces. It acts as a roux (a thickening agent) to give the sauce a thick, creamy consistency. Use store-bought condensed soup or a homemade substitute for cream of chicken soup.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese melts into the sauce, giving the chicken a slightly sweet flavor and an incredible texture.
• Noodles or rice: You can serve this creamy chicken over noodles or rice; they’re both delicious. If you choose noodles, consider thick egg noodles, which will give the sauce something to stick to.
• Optional toppings: Add a cheesy finish with shredded cheddar cheese, or boost the savory vibes with crumbled cooked bacon and chopped green onions.

Taste of Home