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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is shown in a delicious featured image for a recipe article.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

This recipe simplifies the classic baked ziti by using a slow cooker. Layering the ingredients carefully and controlling the moisture are key to achieving perfectly cooked pasta, a rich sauce, and a gooey, cheesy topping. It's a comforting and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, for garnish optional
  • Non-stick cooking spray

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • Can opener
  • Colander or strainer

Method
 

  1. Brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the egg.
  4. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  5. Pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  6. Top with a layer of uncooked ziti pasta.
  7. Spread half of the meat mixture over the pasta.
  8. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the meat.
  9. Repeat layers: sauce, pasta, meat, ricotta.
  10. Pour the remaining sauce over the top layer of pasta.
  11. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is tender. Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker, so check it after 2 hours.
  12. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
  13. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  14. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, brown the meat and saute the aromatics before adding them to the slow cooker. Layer the ingredients strategically to ensure even cooking. Control the moisture by using crushed tomatoes instead of all tomato sauce and draining excess grease from the meat. Check the pasta after 2 hours of cooking and avoid overcooking. Reserve half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the last 15 minutes of cooking to create a perfectly melted topping. Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.