Description
Crockpot Ziti is a hearty, comforting pasta dish made with layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese, all slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (16 oz) box ziti or penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage with diced onion until browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Drain excess fat.
- In the crockpot, mix the cooked meat mixture with marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Add the uncooked pasta and stir to combine well.
- Drop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese throughout the mixture and gently stir without fully mixing it in.
- Cover and cook on low for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until pasta is tender.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking, cover, and let melt.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcook; pasta can become mushy if left too long.
- Use whole milk ricotta for a creamier texture.
- Can be made vegetarian by omitting the meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg