Description

A cheesy, hearty crockpot ziti that brings all the flavors of baked ziti without the oven. Layers of pasta, seasoned meat, marinara, and gooey cheese slow cook together for an easy, comforting meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

1 lb uncooked ziti or rigatoni pasta

1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

24 oz marinara or pasta sauce

15 oz crushed tomatoes

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)

1 tbsp olive oil

Fresh or dried basil, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef or sausage until browned, drain excess fat, then season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Spray crockpot with nonstick spray. Layer: a little sauce, half the pasta, half the meat, spoonfuls of ricotta mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and more sauce. Repeat layers.
Finish with a layer of sauce, reserving some mozzarella for later.
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until pasta is tender.
In the last 30 minutes, sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover until melted.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil if desired.

Notes

Use spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor.

Make vegetarian by skipping meat and adding mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.

Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.

Ground turkey or chicken works as a lighter option.

For creamier texture, stir cream cheese into ricotta mixture.

Check pasta at the 4-hour mark on low to prevent overcooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) or 2–3 hours (high)
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 420
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 80mg