There's something incredibly comforting about diving into a dish of gooey, cheesy baked ziti. But the process of boiling, sautéing, baking... it can be a bit much for a busy weeknight. That's where CrockPot Baked Ziti comes to the rescue! With a little prep and your trusty slow cooker, you can enjoy a bubbling, meaty pot of pasta even on the busiest of nights.
When it comes to comfort food, nothing hits the spot quite like a hearty dish of baked ziti.
But what if I told you that you could have this classic Italian-American dish with less fuss and more flavor? Baked ziti in the crock pot is a satisfyingly cheesy, meaty, and oh-so-easy dish that will soon become a staple in your dinner rotation. (Like my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes and Crockpot Ranch Chicken .)
Serve this with a simple side like Sheet Pan Broccoli or Sauteed Broccolini, for a crave-worthy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: You could also use canola or vegetable oil.
- Garlic: Garlic powder could be used in a pinch, but fresh garlic is best.
- Ground Beef: You could substitute with ground turkey or chicken. Italian sausage is also a nice option.
- Italian Seasoning: If you don't have it, a mix of dried basil, oregano, and rosemary can be used.
- Beef Broth: Vegetable broth or chicken broth could be used as an alternative.
- Marinara Sauce: I recommend my slow cooker marinara - it has so much more flavor than what you buy in jars.
- Half and Half: You could substitute with whole milk or heavy cream, depending on your preference.
- Ziti Noodles: You will want to use uncooked pasta in this recipe. Other tube-shaped pasta, like penne pasta or rigatoni, can also be used.
- Shredded Mozzarella: You could substitute with shredded Colby or Monterey Jack.
- Grated Parmesan: Romano or Asiago cheese could be used as an alternative.
Step by Step Instructions
Tips and Tricks
- Don't skip the pre-cooking: While it might be tempting to just toss uncooked ground beef into the crockpot and then slow cook the baked ziti, taking a few minutes to brown the beef and vegetables ensures optimal texture and flavor.
- Want Ricotta?: You can use a blend of ricotta cheese and egg in addition to the other cheeses if you like. I recommend stirring it in before you add the pasta.
- Add Veggies: If you want to add some veggies to your baked ziti in the slow cooker, sauteed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and bell pepper all make great additions.
- Be patient: Resist the urge to keep lifting the lid to check on your ziti. Each time you do, heat escapes and slows down the cooking process. Trust the process, and you'll be rewarded with a delicious meal.
Tools
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- Slow Cooker
- Large Skillet
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try
- If you're a pizza lover, you'll fall head over heels for this hearty Crockpot Pizza Casserole, a deliciously cheesy fusion of your favorite Italian flavors.
- Lastly, don't miss out on the Slow Cooker Tri-Tip, a succulent, slow-cooked beef recipe that's perfect for a satisfying Sunday dinner or special occasion.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti
There's something incredibly comforting about diving into a dish of gooey, cheesy baked ziti. But the process of boiling, sautéing, baking... it can be a bit much for a busy weeknight. That's where Crock Pot Baked Ziti comes to the rescue! With a little prep and your trusty slow cooker, you can enjoy a bubbling, meaty pot of pasta even on the busiest of nights.
Servings: 12
Calories: 354kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large yellow onion diced (or 1 small)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 2 cups marinara
- ½ cup half and half
- 16 ounces uncooked ziti
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella (2 cups)
- 2 ounces grated parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat, or using the saute function of your slow cooker.
- Add the onion, can cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook, stirring often, until the meat is browned.
- Transfer the meat to your slow cooker or hit cancel if you were using the saute function.
- Add the broth, marinara, and half and half.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 6 hours, or high for 3.
- Stir and add the pasta to the the slow cooker.
- Cook over high heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella, and then top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Cover until the cheese melts.
Notes
Embrace the Leftovers: Crockpot Baked Ziti is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat when you're ready to enjoy it again.
Nutrition
Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 809mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 2mg
Rah says
The instructions make no sense. It would be helpful to clarify whether the pasta is cooked or uncooked as some recipes use partially cooked pasta. The ingredients state 8 ounceZ of mozzarella which is equivalent to one cup. It then isntructs you do mix in one cup of the mozzarella and then the remaining on top....what remaining mozzarella if you're mixing in the full cup? Please make this more clear.
Wendy Polisi says
The pasta is uncooked. You should always assume this to be the case, unless a recipe specifies otherwise.
Eight ounces of mozzarella is actually 2 cups. 🙂