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Savory Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Savory Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 7 reviews

A comforting and flavorful slow cooker baked ziti recipe featuring tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for easy meal prep and hearty family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey or Italian sausage)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Seasonings

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Liquids and Sauces

  • 1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • 1 jar pasta sauce (650 ml, about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or beef or vegetable broth)

Pasta and Cheese

  • 1 box penne or ziti (375 grams, about 4 cups of short pasta)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Stir in minced garlic, salt, dried basil, and parsley, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant. Alternatively, you can skip this step and add raw onion, garlic, and spices directly into the slow cooker.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked beef mixture (or raw onion and spices) to a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, and chicken broth. Stir thoroughly to combine ingredients evenly.
  3. Cook in the Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours to let the flavors meld and deepen.
  4. Add Pasta to the Slow Cooker: Switch the slow cooker to high. Stir in the penne or ziti pasta until well mixed with the sauce. Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, stirring at the 15-minute mark, until pasta is tender to your preference.
  5. Finish with Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta. Cover and allow it to cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese melts and turns gooey. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage depending on your preference.
  • For a quicker prep time, add raw onions and garlic directly into the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
  • Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels in the dish.
  • Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker model, as temperatures may vary.
  • Check pasta tenderness at 15 minutes and continue cooking if needed to avoid overcooking.
  • Feel free to add extra herbs or red pepper flakes for additional flavor and heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker baked ziti, baked pasta, slow cooker pasta recipe, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://topreci.com/savory-slow-cooker-baked-ziti-recipe/