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.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword crockpot

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6 30

Total Time 6 45

Servings

Calories 354kcal

Author Wendy Polisi

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

US Customary - Metric

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