Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

If you're a fan of Italian cuisine and love a good hearty pasta dish, then this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe is the perfect meal for you. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together and the pasta to become perfectly cooked, resulting in a dish that is savory, comforting, and oh-so-delicious. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just looking for an easy weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that typi...

Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that typically consists of ziti pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. This slow cooker version takes all the traditional elements of the dish and elevates it to a new level of ease and convenience. By using a slow cooker, you can set it and forget it, allowing the flavors to develop over several hours and making the pasta perfectly tender.

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily customize it to your liking by adding in your favorite vegetables, meats, or spices. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version with mushrooms and spinach, or a meat lover's version with Italian sausage and pepperoni, the options are endless. The slow cooker method also makes it easy to adapt for different dietary restrictions, such as using gluten-free pasta or dairy-free cheese.

Not only is this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe incredibly delicious, but it's also a time-saver. With just a few simple steps and minimal prep work, you can have a satisfying and comforting meal ready to enjoy without spending hours in the kitchen. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without all the fuss. Plus, the leftovers are just as tasty the next day, making it a great option for meal prep or lunches throughout the week.

So, whether you're hosting a family dinner, looking for a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or simply craving a comforting bowl of pasta, this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe is sure to satisfy. With its easy preparation, delicious flavors, and endless customization options, it's a recipe that is bound to become a favorite in your cooking repertoire. Give it a try and discover the magic of slow-cooked pasta perfection!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk sausage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) jar chopped roasted red peppers
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 (16 ounce) packages ziti pasta

Information

Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
Additional Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 6 hrs 55 mins
Servings: 20
Yield: 20 servings

Stir ground beef, sausage, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt together in a bowl.

Cook and stir beef mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic in hot oil until slightly golden and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Stir beef mixture, onion mixture, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and red peppers together in a large bowl.

Stir 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a separate bowl.

Spoon 1/3 of meat mixture into the slow cooker; top with 1/2 the ziti pasta. Drop 1/2 the cheese mixture by rounded tablespoons over the ziti; carefully spread cheese mixture over ziti using the back of the spoon. Repeat layering process 1 more time. Pour remaining meat sauce over the top and place the lid on the slow cooker.

Cook on Low for until ziti is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on High for 3 to 5 hours).

Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top of the baked ziti and let stand until melted, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition

405 cal.

Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Sodium: 1067mg
Total Carbohydrate: 46g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Total Sugars: 5g
Protein: 22g
Vitamin C: 23mg
Calcium: 260mg
Iron: 4mg
Potassium: 646mg

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti - A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

Information

Nutrition

405 cal.

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