Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly easy and delicious Slow Cooker Baked Ziti—a comforting classic made even simpler! This one-pot wonder layers tender ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Italian sausage, all slow-cooked in a rich marinara sauce to perfection. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this no-boil pasta dish is perfect for busy families craving homemade Italian flavor without the hassle. The slow cooking process melds the spices and cheeses together, creating an irresistible blend of textures and tastes. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of elegance, and watch as this hearty, crowd-pleasing meal disappears from plates. Perfect for meal planning or leisurely weekend dinners, this recipe is your ticket to effortless comfort food!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Set this cheese mixture aside.
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or lightly coat it with olive oil.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Layer half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta and spread it slightly.
Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage over the ricotta layer.
Spread 1.5 cups of marinara sauce over the sausage layer.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, sausage, and marinara sauce.
Top the final layer with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender.
Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4622 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 238.6 g | 306% | |
| Saturated Fat | 97.9 g | 490% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 689 mg | 230% | |
| Sodium | 9273 mg | 403% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 407.6 g | 148% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.7 g | 120% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.0 g | ||
| Protein | 226.3 g | 453% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3442 mg | 265% | |
| Iron | 28.1 mg | 156% | |
| Potassium | 1781 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
