Description
Hearty crock pot baked ziti brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen, blending robust pasta, melted cheeses, and rich marinara sauce. Cozy family meals become effortless with this simple slow cooker magic, inviting you to savor each cheesy, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground sausage
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced) or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Sauces and Pasta:
- 2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) jar tomato sauce
- 1 (16-ounce) box ziti pasta (uncooked)
Instructions
- Transform ground beef or sausage into a rich foundation by sautéing with onions in a skillet, methodically crumbling the meat while cooking over medium heat.
- Enhance the meat mixture with aromatic garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt, allowing flavors to meld for 1-2 minutes before incorporating pasta sauce and tomato sauce.
- Craft a creamy ricotta blend by whisking together ricotta cheese, egg, freshly chopped basil, Parmesan, and a portion of mozzarella until smooth and well-integrated.
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly coating with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a strategic layering technique: spread one-third of the meat sauce across the bottom, followed by a generous layer of uncooked ziti pasta.
- Carefully distribute half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the layering process with additional sauce, ziti, and remaining ricotta mixture.
- Complete the final layer with remaining ziti and sauce, creating a cohesive pasta landscape.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on HIGH for approximately 2.5 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, monitoring pasta tenderness to prevent overcooking.
- During the final cooking stage, generously crown the dish with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Allow the cheese to melt seamlessly by letting the dish rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Plate the ziti while warm, accompanied by crisp garlic bread or a vibrant side salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Ensure meat is fully browned and crumbled to enhance the texture and prevent large clumps in the final dish.
- Drain excess fat from the meat to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner, more refined flavor profile.
- Experiment with different meat combinations like ground turkey or a mix of beef and Italian sausage for varied taste experiences.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms to maintain protein and texture.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid and maintain the perfect creamy consistency in the slow cooker.
- Choose whole wheat ziti or gluten-free pasta alternatives for dietary restrictions without compromising the dish’s hearty character.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice levels, making the recipe adaptable for sensitive palates or heat-loving guests.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg