Description
A hearty and delicious slow cooker baked ziti dish that’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy families, and great as leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- If using ground beef or Italian sausage, brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat and drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Layer the mixture in the slow cooker, starting with half the ziti mixture, then adding half the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat with the rest of the ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
For added flavor, you can include vegetables like spinach or bell peppers, and consider using different cheeses or spicy sausage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 360 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: slow cooker, baked ziti, pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner, meal prep