🍝 Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Aldi Edition)

Creamy, high-protein Tuscan-style chicken pasta made with Aldi staples. Lean chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a lightened Alfredo-style sauce that tastes rich without being heavy. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4–5)

• 2 lbs Never Any! Chicken Breasts (~$7.00)
• 8 oz Reggano penne or rotini pasta (~$1.25)
• 1 jar Priano sun-dried tomatoes (~$2.50)
• 4 oz light cream cheese (~$1.00)
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (~$0.75)
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (~$0.75)
• 1/2 cup milk (~$0.50)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups fresh spinach (~$1.75)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (~$1.50)
• Salt & pepper to taste

💰 Estimated Total: ~$17.00 → about $3.40 per serving

🍳 Directions

1. Load the crockpot: Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker along with garlic, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes (with a little of their oil if you’d like extra flavor).
2. Make the sauce base: In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, light cream cheese, and Greek yogurt until mostly smooth. Pour over the chicken.
3. Slow cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
4. Shred & enrich: Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot. Stir in grated Parmesan, fresh spinach, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts into the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
5. Cook the pasta: While the sauce finishes, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain well.
6. Bring it together: Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy chicken mixture. If needed, loosen with a splash of pasta water or a bit more milk.
7. Serve: Spoon into bowls and top with extra Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if you like a little heat.

💪 Macros (Per Serving — 5 servings)

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: ~45 g
• Carbs: ~32 g
• Fat: ~17 g
• Fiber: ~3 g

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Note

This one feels restaurant-quality but takes almost no hands-on time. It’s creamy, mild, and super comforting — the kind of dinner that disappears fast and reheats beautifully for next-day lunches or meal prep bowls.