Top 12+ cozy Italian recipes you can make in the slow cooker

Slow-simmered classics with minimal prep.

Let these Italian and Italian-American slow cooker recipes take care of dinner on busy weeknights. While you’re out getting it done, classic comfort dishes—think: saucy meatballs, tender chicken cacciatore, and comforting penicillin soup—are simmering away at home. These top-rated favorites bring big, cozy flavors with minimal effort, and they’ll be ready and waiting when you walk through the door.

01 of 12

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

This flavorful, Italian-inspired dinner calls for just a few common ingredients and requires almost no effort. "Easy slow cooker chicken cacciatore," says Rosie. "Serve over angel hair pasta. Avanti!"

02 of 12

Randy's Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

"Tried this for the first time for dinner. Delicious! It was so easy to put together - especially with refrigerated ravioli. Followed the recipe and it came out great. Had enough leftovers for another dinner. Will make again." —litg8r

03 of 12

Meat-Lover's Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage and simmer with tomatoes and Italian seasonings. "This creates a great, chunky, and very meaty spaghetti sauce," says Ashley. "The longer it cooks, the better it tastes!"

04 of 12

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone

This soup is loaded with vegetables and macaroni. "Slow cooking this family favorite soup allows all the flavors and spices to intensify and delivers a delicious, hearty meal every one is sure to enjoy," says laura. "Serve with a green salad and garlic bread for dipping."

05 of 12

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

"A wonderful Italian neighbor showed me how to make this recipe," says Sneakyteaky. "It's prepared 'hunter-style,' with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, various herbs, and sometimes wine. I found adding cheese gave it something special, it also made it mine."

06 of 12

Bob's Slow Cooker Braciole

"Loved it!! The only change I made was I used top round sliced for braciole. Fork tender and definitely a meal I will make again." —Linda Scott-Ninesling

07 of 12

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

"I make a version of this but just use my favorite jar of pasta sauce. And instead of onions and garlic I use onion powder and garlic powder. Regardless it has so much flavor it is absolutely delicious. And my 11yo loves them!" —Leslie Ann

08 of 12

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

"My family loved this recipe! They keep asking for me to make it again. Very rich and creamy sauce. This is in my “go to” recipe stack." —FunkyWhey3547

09 of 12

Tuscan Sausage Ragu

"A thick, rich meat sauce excellent with rigatoni, rotelle or any other thick pasta," says TerryWilson.

10 of 12

Crockpot Pastina Soup (Italian Penicillin Soup)

"Made it for lunch and even my picky kids liked it! We didn't put parmesan cheese, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly, using the immersion blender method. We used ditalini pasta." —atan

11 of 12

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Soup

"Followed the recipe just as written but used hot Italian sausage resulting in a bit more zip to the soup. Made garlic toast to go along with - yum!" —jiwafuchi

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Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli Soup

"I swapped out the beef for ground turkey. This was a delicious meal. I also made cornbread to go with it. It was so easy. I'll be making this again for sure!" —Cecilia Chappell

More Inspiration

• 12 Easy Italian Dishes You Can Make With Just 5 Ingredients
• Simple One-Skillet Recipes for the Mediterranean Diet
• Quick and Easy Chicken Skillet Dinners