Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole is a perfect dinner choice for those who love comfort food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Rich, cheesy, and loaded with flavorful beef and pasta, it’s a slow cooker meal that you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. Serve it up with Texas toast and a side salad for a complete, satisfying dinner.
Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole: A Hearty, Easy Slow Cooker Meal
This casserole is wonderfully versatile and perfect for feeding a crowd. You can even get creative by adding other ingredients like cubed chicken or minced pork. Greens like Chinese cabbage or mustard greens can also be swapped in for spinach, giving the dish a fresh twist.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6-7 hours on low
Servings: 6-8
Equipment: Slow cooker
Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can stewed tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed (or fresh spinach)
- 16 oz bowtie pasta, cooked
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, shredded
Directions:
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer the beef mixture to the crock pot. Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, turn the crock pot to high and add the thawed spinach, cooked bowtie pasta, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Stir until well combined.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella on top and cover the crock pot, allowing the cheese to melt for the remaining cooking time.
- Serve hot, paired with Texas toast and a fresh salad.
This Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole is rich and delicious, making it the ideal dish for a comforting dinner with family and friends. You’ll love the combination of beef, pasta, and melted cheese in every bite!
