If you’re looking for a simple and delicious meal that you can make with minimal effort, then look no further than this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti!
This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want to enjoy a comforting, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and a crockpot, you can have a hearty and satisfying dinner on the table in no time.
One of the best parts about crockpot ziti is that it’s so versatile. You can customize the recipe to suit your tastes, whether you prefer a spicy kick or a milder flavor. And with its combination of tender pasta, flavorful sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.
What you are needing to create this easy dinner crockpot recipe. Measurements are in the recipe card at bottom of post.
- Pasta Sauce: They provide the primary flavor and moisture for the dish, ensuring the pasta cooks properly and is infused with a deep, savory taste.
- Diced Italian Tomatoes: These are tomatoes that have been seasoned with Italian herbs and diced for convenience.
- Italian Sausage: It introduces a spicy, savory element, complementing the sweetness of the tomatoes and adding heartiness to the dish.
- Cream Cheese: A dds a creamy, tangy element to the dish, contrasting with the savory sauce and providing a velvety texture.
- Egg: Helps bind ingredients together.
- Parmesan Cheese: : It enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a salty, cheesy depth.
- Garlic, Basil, Parsley: The star seasoning of the show.
- Ziti noodles: You can sub in different similar shaped noodles
- Mozzarella Cheese: Creates a gooey, melty top layer, adding to the dish’s richness and providing a delightful cheesy pull.
Absolutely! You can use any type of pasta you like, such as penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti broken into smaller pieces. Just keep in mind that different types of pasta may require different cooking times.
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or ground beef instead of sausage. You could also skip the meat altogether and make a vegetarian version.
Yes, homemade sauce would work great in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Yes, you can add chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the crockpot. Just keep in mind that some vegetables may release moisture as they cook, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe.
Cook the crockpot ziti on low heat for 6 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours. Make sure to check the pasta for doneness before serving.
Yes, you can prepare the crockpot ziti ahead of time and store it in an airtight container the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook it. Just make sure to give it some extra cooking time since it will be starting from a cold temperature. You can also freeze the crockpot ziti for later use. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before cooking it in the crockpot.
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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
- In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, eggs, parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley. Cream together with an electric mixer. Mix until it has reached a smooth and creamy texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked sausage, and water.
- Grab crockpot and add 1/3 of the pasta sauce mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add half the box of uncooked pasta on top of the sauce layer.
- Next add dollops of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat sauce layer, ziti pasta, and cream cheese dollops.
- Finish layers with remaining sauce covering the top.
- Add mozzarella cheese to the top and sprinkle basil and parsley over.
- Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Stir right before serving.
- Serve along side your favorite garlic bread or a big green salad.
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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 48 oz. Pasta Marinara Sauce or Meat sauce your choice
- 29 oz Diced Italian Tomatoes
- 1 lb. Italian Sausage cooked and crumbled
- 1 & 1/2 cups water
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese Softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons basil chopped
- 2 teaspoons parsley chopped
- 16 oz. Ziti Pasta uncooked
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese freshly Grated
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, eggs, parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley. Cream together with an electric mixer. Mix until it has reached a smooth and creamy texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked sausage, and water.
- Grab crockpot and add 1/3 of the pasta sauce mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add half the box of uncooked pasta on top of the sauce layer.
- Next add dollops of the cream cheese mixture.
- Repeat sauce layer, ziti pasta, and cream cheese dollops.
- Finish layers with remaining sauce covering the top.
- Add mozzarella cheese to the top and sprinkle basil and parsley over. Cook on high for 4 hours.
- Stir right before serving.Serve along side your favorite garlic bread and a big green salad.
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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