Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole
Crock Pot Bowtie Casserole is a cozy, hands-off slow cooker meal combining tender bowtie pasta with creamy sauce, chicken, veggies, and a cheesy finish. It’s perfect for busy days, customizable to your taste, and great for leftovers or meal prep.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie pasta (uncooked)
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Cheese Blend
- 1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan cheese blend
Creamy Base
- 1 cup sour cream or cream cheese or 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Vegetables
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (optional)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or milk (to thin the sauce)
- Prep the Ingredients: Chop vegetables and shred the cheese if needed. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside seasonings and creamy base for easy layering.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine sour cream or cream cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken broth or milk. Mix well to create a creamy sauce to keep the casserole moist and flavorful.
- Assemble in Crock Pot: Layer the chicken pieces, chopped vegetables, uncooked bowtie pasta, and pour the sauce evenly over all ingredients in the crock pot.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally if possible, until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Add Cheese and Finish: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the cheese blend evenly over the top, cover again, and let it melt until gooey and delicious.
Notes
- Use fresh pasta for faster cooking, as it softens more quickly than dried pasta.
- Add cheese near the end of cooking to keep it creamy and prevent overcooking.
- If casserole looks dry during cooking, add a splash of broth or milk to maintain moisture.
- Chop veggies and pre-mix sauces ahead of time to streamline assembly.
- Leftover shredded chicken can be used to reduce prep time without sacrificing flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Crock pot casserole, bowtie pasta casserole, slow cooker dinner, creamy pasta casserole, easy comfort food, chicken casserole, crock pot recipe