This Crockpot Ravioli Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or any time you need a comforting, hands-off meal. With ground beef, tender pasta, spinach, and a cheesy finish, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite. The best part? The crockpot does most of the work for you, leaving you with a rich and delicious dinner without much effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Everything comes together in the crockpot, so you can set it and forget it until dinner time.
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with pasta, meat, and spinach, this casserole is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
- Cheesy Goodness: With both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this casserole delivers the creamy, cheesy flavor everyone loves.
Who Is This Recipe For?
This Crockpot Ravioli Casserole is perfect for anyone looking for a simple, filling, and comforting dinner. If you have a busy schedule and need a meal that requires minimal hands-on time, this recipe is for you. It’s also a great dish for meal prepping, feeding a family, or serving at gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 can stewed tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed
- 16 oz bowtie pasta, cooked
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup water
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Large skillet
- Slow cooker (crockpot)
- Cooking spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 ½ lbs of ground beef with 1 chopped onion and 1 minced garlic clove. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.
2. Combine in the Crockpot
Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your crockpot. Add 1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce, 1 can of stewed tomatoes, 1 tsp of oregano, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, and ½ cup of water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine.
3. Cook Low and Slow
Set your crockpot to low and cook the casserole for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
4. Add Spinach and Pasta
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, stir in the 10 oz of thawed spinach and 16 oz of cooked bowtie pasta. This step ensures the pasta and spinach are warmed through and incorporated into the casserole.
5. Add the Cheese
Before serving, sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese over the casserole. Stir to combine and allow the cheeses to melt into the dish. Once the cheese has melted and everything is well mixed, your casserole is ready to serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Spinach: If you prefer, you can use fresh spinach instead of frozen. Simply chop it and stir it into the casserole at the same step as the frozen spinach.
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Be sure to cook the bowtie pasta just until al dente, as it will continue to soften when added to the crockpot.
- Make it Ahead: You can prepare the ground beef mixture and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply transfer it to the crockpot and continue with the recipe.
