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Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 53 reviews

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti is a comforting and easy-to-make slow cooker pasta dish featuring layers of uncooked penne pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner, this recipe delivers tender, al dente pasta with a cheesy, flavorful finish, all cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauces

  • 2 jars (25 ounces each) pasta sauce
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce

Pasta

  • 1 pound uncooked penne pasta

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, and freshly chopped basil. Stir well until fully mixed and set aside.
  2. Mix Sauces: In a large bowl, combine both jars of pasta sauce and the tomato sauce together, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform sauce mixture.
  3. Grate Parmesan Cheese: Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated and set it aside for layering.
  4. Grease Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking and aid in easy serving.
  5. First Layer – Sauce: Pour 2 1/3 cups of the sauce mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread evenly.
  6. First Layer – Pasta: Add one-third of the uncooked penne pasta evenly over the sauce. Measuring the pasta into thirds beforehand helps ensure even cooking.
  7. First Layer – Ricotta: Dot half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta, spreading gently.
  8. First Layer – Parmesan: Sprinkle one cup (half) of the Parmesan cheese over the ricotta layer.
  9. Second Layer – Sauce: Add another 2 1/3 cups of the sauce mixture evenly over the previous layers.
  10. Second Layer – Pasta: Add the second third of uncooked penne evenly on top.
  11. Second Layer – Ricotta: Dot the remaining ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  12. Second Layer – Parmesan: Sprinkle the remaining one cup of Parmesan cheese.
  13. Third Layer – Pasta: Add the last third of uncooked penne evenly on top.
  14. Top with Sauce: Pour the remaining 2 1/3 cups of the sauce mixture over the final pasta layer, spreading evenly.
  15. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the pasta is cooked al dente. Typically, 2.5 hours is ideal for perfect texture.
  16. Add Mozzarella Cheese: About 15 to 30 minutes before cooking ends, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the ziti and allow it to melt.
  17. Serve: Serve the Crock Pot Baked Ziti hot, optionally topped with red pepper flakes and alongside garlic bread and a fresh side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Measuring the penne pasta into three equal parts ensures even cooking and layering.
  • Use a 6-quart slow cooker for best results; smaller sizes may cook unevenly.
  • Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model; start checking pasta doneness around 2 hours.
  • Adding mozzarella cheese towards the end prevents it from overcooking and keeps it gooey and melty.
  • Fresh basil adds a bright flavor, but you can substitute with dried basil if fresh is unavailable.
  • For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes either during cooking or as a garnish.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.

Keywords: Crock Pot Baked Ziti, slow cooker pasta, baked ziti recipe, easy Italian dinner, cheesy baked pasta, ricotta pasta, slow cooker recipes

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/crock-pot-baked-ziti-recipe/