If you love slow cooker meals, this recipe will exceed your expectations. The slow cooker baked ziti is a delicious and healthy meal to prepare during a busy weekday when you don’t have enough time. The prep process is straightforward. All you need to do is layer the ingredients and let the device do its magic.
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The result is a cheesy and saucy baked pasta with aromatic ground beef. You can use penne and ziti pasta for this recipe, so feel free to choose what is more convenient.
Is the slow-cooked baked ziti a delicious standalone meal and a real crowd-pleaser? Have some last-minute guests? Or were you invited to a potluck and completely forgot about it? The baked pasta saves you on any occasion with simple ingredients and easy prep.
What makes this recipe so unique?
The slow cooker baked ziti is a simple and easy recipe that the whole family will love. Preparing pasta can be daunting, as you need to cook, drain, and prepare the other ingredients. With this recipe, you put the uncooked pasta into the slow cooker, and it simmers in the saucy filling. Cover all the pasta in sauce; otherwise, it will stay dry.
Can I substitute Ziti?
Yes, you can use penne pasta if you don’t have ziti. It is best to use smaller pasta so it won’t stick.
What to serve it with?
The saucy pasta can be an individual meal, but you can serve it with light side options. Steamed veggies nicely complement the richness of this dish, adding vibrance to the plate. Green beans, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts add a touch of greenery and some fiber content to the plate. Le,t’s not forget the good old classic: crisp and aromatic garlic bread that soaks up the pasta sauce.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Italian pasta sauce
- Penne
- Ricotta cheese
- Tomato paste
- Eggs
- Basil
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
How to make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
Step 1. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the ricotta cheese and mix well to combine.
Step 2. In a second bowl, pour the two jars of pasta and tomato sauce.
Step 3. Grease your slow cooker and add two and one-third cups of sauce inside. Add ⅓ of the uncooked pasta to the slow cooker.
Step 4. Add ricotta cheese and spread it in an even layer. Add one cup of grated parmesan cheese over that.
Step 5. Add the ground beef and spread it evenly. Add the remaining sauce mixture over the ground beef.
Step 6. Add 2 1/3 cups of the sauce mixture over that. Add the remaining uncooked pasta. Repeat in the same order as the first layer, finishing with the remaining sauce on top.
Step 7. Close the lid and cook on high for two to three hours. A few minutes before finishing, you should add mozzarella and let it melt.
Serve and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
The slow cooker baked ziti is a simple and easy recipe that the whole family will love. Preparing pasta can be daunting, as you need to cook, drain, and prepare the other ingredients. With this recipe, you put the uncooked pasta into the slow cooker, and it simmers in the saucy filling. Cover all the pasta in sauce; otherwise, it will stay dry.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef cooked thoroughly
- 2 jars of Italian pasta sauce
- 1–16-ounce box of penne
- 15 ounce Ricotta cheese
- 15 ounces tomato paste
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup basil
- 2 cups parmesan, freshly shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the ricotta cheese and mix well to combine.
- In a second bowl, pour the two jars of pasta and tomato sauce.
- Grease your slow cooker and add two and one-third cups of sauce inside. Add ⅓ of the uncooked pasta to the slow cooker.
- Add ricotta cheese and spread it in an even layer. Add one cup of grated parmesan cheese over that.
- Add the ground beef and spread it evenly. Add the remaining sauce mixture over the ground beef.
- Add 2 1/3 cups of the sauce mixture over that. Add the remaining uncooked pasta. Repeat in the same order as the first layer, finishing with the remaining sauce on top.
- Close the lid and cook on high for two to three hours. A few minutes before finishing, you should add mozzarella and let it melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.
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