Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Crock Pot Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy dish that brings the warmth of family gatherings right into your home. With layers of ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, and an abundance of gooey cheese, this effortless recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Just throw everything into your crock pot, set it, and let the tantalizing aroma fill your kitchen while it cooks! Enjoy a delicious meal that even picky eaters will love, complete with easy leftovers for the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Prep by gathering ingredients and chopping any vegetables you want to add.
- If using meat, brown it in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Layer the bottom of the crock pot with marinara sauce. Add uncooked ziti pasta, dollops of ricotta cheese, cooked meat (if using), and mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used.
- Pour any remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until pasta is tender and cheese is bubbly.
- Before serving, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider mixing in chopped spinach or bell peppers. To ensure perfectly cooked pasta, pre-cook it to al dente before layering. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days; reheat gently in the microwave or oven.