Description
This crockpot baked ziti recipe is a convenient and delicious twist on the classic oven-baked version. With layers of tender pasta, flavorful meat sauce, and cheesy goodness, it’s a comforting dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced (2 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 48 ounces pasta sauce, or make your own!
Remaining Ingredients:
- 16 ounces baked ziti, uncooked
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella, shredded (divided)
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Season the Meat: Add garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Stir in one jar of pasta sauce into the meat mixture.
- Layer the Ingredients: In a slow cooker, start layering with sauce, uncooked ziti, meat mixture, cheeses, and repeat the layers.
- Cook in the Crockpot: Cover and cook on low for six hours. Add remaining mozzarella cheese before serving.
Notes
- Before adding ingredients, coat the slow cooker with cooking spray for easier cleanup or use a liner.
- For best flavor, cook on low for longer, although high for three hours is an option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 344mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 77mg
