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crock pot baked ziti

(2 RATINGS)
1.39K Pinches 22 Photos
JUPITER1 avatar
Hebron, KY
Updated on Feb 23, 2020

Threw this together the other night for dinner. It was really good! Leftovers were even better :). It filled my 6 qt Crock Pot, so it makes a bunch!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Layering the meat, noodles, and cheese in this Crock Pot baked ziti is a great idea because it enables all the ingredients to blend together. This recipe reminds us of a lasagna. It's super cheesy and filled with tomato flavor. You'll have lots of leftovers which is fine ... because this tastes even better the next day.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 40 Min
cook time 1 Hr 30 Min
method Slow Cooker Crock Pot
yield 10 ish

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
  • 1 jar marinara sauce, 32 oz (I used mids garlic & onion)
  • 2 cans petite diced tomatoes, 14.5oz
  • 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 to 1.5 pounds ziti pasta, or similar size (I used rigatoni)
  • 1 - tub of ricotta (I used cottage cheese because that's what I had); 15 oz
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 big bag)
  • 1 - egg
  • - salt and pepper

How To Make crock pot baked ziti

Test Kitchen Tips
If you want to bake this, we suggest layering everything in a casserole dish and baking at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
  • Browning ground beef in a pot.
    Step 1
    In a large sauce pan, add ground beef breaking up as it browns until it's cooked through. Drain off excess grease.
  • Marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes added to ground beef.
    Step 2
    Add the jar of marinara sauce, cans of diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes.
  • Sauce simmering on the stove.
    Step 3
    Bring to a bubble and then turn to simmer. Cover and let simmer for 20-25 minutes while you cook pasta.
  • Cooked pasta in a pot.
    Step 4
    Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pot (off burner).
  • Ricotta, Parmesan, 3/4 cup mozzarella, and egg in a bowl.
    Step 5
    While pasta is cooking, add ricotta, Parmesan, 3/4 cup mozzarella, and egg to a medium mixing bowl and mix well.
  • Ricotta mixture seasoned with salt and pepper.
    Step 6
    Salt and pepper to taste. I also added a bit of chopped parsley because I had some, totally optional.
  • Cheese mixture mixed in with the pasta.
    Step 7
    Add cheese mixture to pasta and toss to incorporate.
  • A little bit of sauce added to the pasta.
    Step 8
    Add a ladle full of meat sauce to pasta and cheese.
  • Macaroni tossed with the sauce.
    Step 9
    Toss again.
  • A bit of meat sauce added to the bottom of the slow cooker.
    Step 10
    At this point, you can layer in Crock Pot, as I did to keep warm for company, or in a casserole to bake if short on time. For the Crock Pot method, put a small amount of meat sauce to the bottom of the Crock Pot.
  • Part of the noodle mixture added.
    Step 11
    Then 1/3 noodle mixture.
  • Meat sauce and shredded mozzarella added.
    Step 12
    Then 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 mozzarella and few shakes of Parmesan.
  • Repeating the layers ending with cheese.
    Step 13
    Then repeat layers two more times ending with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Ziti cooked in the slow cooker.
    Step 14
    Cover and set to high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until melted and bubbly.
  • Crock Pot Baked Ziti on a plate with bread.
    Step 15
    Enjoy with garlic bread and tossed salad.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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