Description
A hearty and cheesy baked ziti made effortlessly in a slow cooker, perfect for family gatherings and cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- If using, cook the ground beef or sausage in a skillet until browned, then drain.
- In the slow cooker, layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the sauce mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and cook on low for 240-360 minutes or on high for 120-180 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Consider adding vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition. Garnish with fresh herbs for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: baked ziti, slow cooker, pasta, Italian, comfort food