Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe offers a comforting and flavorful dish with layers of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella and ricotta cheese. It's incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal hands-on time, and perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Large bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon sugar optional
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix well.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Top with half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining meat sauce, ziti, ricotta mixture, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the ziti rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Don't overcook the pasta; cook it al dente as it will continue cooking in the slow cooker. Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Allowing the ziti to rest before serving helps the cheese set. Customize the sauce with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini. For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes. Variations include vegetarian (omit beef and add vegetables), spicy (use Italian sausage), cheesy (use different cheeses like provolone or fontina), and healthier (use ground turkey and part-skim cheeses).