Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
A hearty slow cooker baked ziti layered with seasoned ground beef, pasta, ricotta, tomato sauce, and melted cheese for a rich and comforting meal made with minimal effort.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef fully cooked and drained
- 2 jars Italian pasta sauce
- 1 16-ounce box penne pasta, uncooked
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 15 ounces tomato paste
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ⅓ cup fresh or dried basil
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese freshly shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, and basil. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
Prepare the Sauce
- In a separate large bowl, combine the tomato paste with both jars of Italian pasta sauce. Stir well to ensure the sauce is evenly blended.
Grease the Slow Cooker
- Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick spray or a small amount of oil.
First Layer
- Spread approximately 2 ⅓ cups of the prepared sauce evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place about one-third of the uncooked penne pasta over the sauce. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly across the pasta and spread gently. Sprinkle 1 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the ricotta layer.
Add the Meat and Sauce
- Spread the cooked ground beef evenly over the cheese layer. Pour an even layer of sauce over the meat to fully cover it.
Second Layer
- Add another 2 ⅓ cups of sauce, followed by one-third of the uncooked pasta. Distribute another layer of ricotta mixture evenly, followed by the remaining 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Final Layer
- Place the last third of the uncooked pasta over the Parmesan. Pour the remaining sauce evenly across the top, ensuring all pasta is fully covered.
Cook
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pasta is al dente.
Add Mozzarella
- During the final few minutes of cooking, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover once more and allow the cheese to melt completely before serving.
Notes
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the regular penne pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta. Ensure all other ingredients, particularly the pasta sauce, tomato paste, and shredded cheeses, are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.