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Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole

Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole
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A hearty and comforting Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole featuring tender bowtie pasta, savory ground beef or turkey, creamy cheese, and rich marinara sauce, all slow-cooked to perfection. This easy one-pot meal is ideal for busy weeknights, offering fuss-free preparation, minimal cleanup, and deliciously satisfying flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Protein

  • 8 oz uncooked bowtie pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

Sauce & Cheese

  • 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
  • 4 oz cream cheese, cut into dollops
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Vegetables & Seasonings

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Sauté the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook gently until fragrant and softened to build deeper flavors before layering.
  2. Layer the Casserole: Spray your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Add half of the uncooked bowtie pasta as the first layer. Spread half of the sautéed meat mixture evenly over the pasta. Pour half of the marinara sauce on top, then add dollops of cream cheese spaced evenly. Repeat these layers with the remaining pasta, meat mixture, sauce, and cream cheese dollops.
  3. Season and Cook: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the layered ingredients. Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy. If possible, gently stir the casserole halfway through cooking to blend the cheese and sauce well.
  4. Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: About 15 minutes before cooking ends, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole. Cover and continue cooking to allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly, forming a golden crust on top.

Notes

  • Use uncooked bowtie pasta to ensure proper absorption of flavors and perfect texture.
  • Avoid adding extra water; the sauce and cream cheese provide enough moisture for pasta to cook properly.
  • Layer ingredients evenly for balanced flavor and texture throughout the casserole.
  • Cook on low heat to develop rich flavors and prevent overcooking or burning.
  • Monitor pasta towards the end of cooking to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Crock Pot, Bowtie Casserole, Slow Cooker, Comfort Food, One-Pot Meal, Easy Dinner, Pasta Casserole

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/crock-pot-bowtie-casserole/