Dump this bottled creamy Italian dressing and just 3 more ingredients over pasta in the slow cooker for an easy dinner that tastes like you made a sauce.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker creamy Italian pasta is one of those weeknight saviors that feels indulgent but is almost embarrassingly easy. It leans on bottled creamy Italian dressing—an American pantry staple that evolved from classic Italian vinaigrettes, enriched with dairy to create that tangy, velvety texture we know from salad bars and potlucks. Here, the dressing does double duty: it seasons the chicken and pasta while slowly reducing into a rich, flavorful sauce. You get the cozy comfort of a creamy pasta dish without fussing over a stovetop sauce or a long ingredient list. It’s perfect for busy evenings, meal prep, or those nights when you want something that tastes like you put in a lot more effort than you actually did.

This creamy Italian pasta pairs nicely with something fresh and crisp to balance the richness. A simple green salad with romaine, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan dressed in a light vinaigrette is a natural fit. Garlic bread or a warm baguette is great for scooping up any extra sauce in the slow cooker. If you’d like more vegetables on the plate, roasted broccoli, green beans, or a quick sauté of zucchini with olive oil and garlic complement the tangy, creamy flavors without competing. For a slightly heartier spread, you can add a small antipasto platter—olives, marinated artichokes, and a few slices of salami—to echo the Italian-American theme of the dish.

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 1/2 cups creamy Italian dressing
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
12 ounces short pasta (such as penne, rotini, or shells), cooked al dente and drained