Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

I mean...LOOK AT THAT.  While I love trying new foods, some days I just want a classic tomato based pasta dish...with meat of course. The day I made this,  I was planning for the pasta to bake while I put in a few hours at the office. The few hours turned into 7 hours.  I had to count on J to help me out with this meal as well as take pictures...and he did a great job!  

The only semi-frustrating thing about this recipe is the fact that there is a decent amount of preparation needed for a slow-cooker meal. My favorite slow cooker recipes are when I get to just dump everything in and let it cook. This recipe required me to brown the meat ahead of time as well as cook the noodles. I'm sure I could have skipped browning the meat, but it makes me nervous and the last thing I need is for J or myself to get food poisoning from undercooked meat. BUT it was SO worth the work, Learning how to cook has led me to so many new food blogs, and this recipe is not an exception. I got this recipe from Becoming Betty. She referred to this dish as crock pot ravioli...but I don't consider this ravioli at all. However, it was so delicious, she can call it whatever she wants!

Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Serves: 6

Cook time to Becoming Betty: 6-7 hours

Cook time according to Rachel: 6 hours

How difficult was this for Rachel? Pretty easy!

Ingredients:
1.5 lb lean ground turkey (I used pre-seasoned)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 15oz cans stewed tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
100z fresh spinach
16oz bowtie pasta (COOKED!)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1.5 cups mozzarella, shredded
salt & pepper

Becoming Betty suggested using frozen spinach. I'm sorry...but look how fresh and awesome this spinach is. I'd much rather put this in a dish than watered down frozen spinach!

 

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown the meat with the onion and garlic

Once completely cooked, put in slow cooker. Add in tomato sauce, tomatoes and seasonings.

Cook for 6 hours while stirring occasionally.

At the 6 hour mark, add in cooked pasta, cheeses and spinach. Mix well.

Cook for additional 30 minutes. 

Serve immediately!

For re-heating purposes, the pasta won't be as sauce-y so add an additional small can of tomato sauce.