Crock Pot Ziti Recipe 445

CROCK POT BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Spray entire slow cooker insert with non-stick spray.
• In large bowl, mix ricotta with two eggs, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper.
• Cover bottom of slow cooker with sauce.
• Layer pasta on top of sauce.
• Take 5 scoops of the ricotta mixture drop onto sauce.
• Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat steps 3-5 two more times.
• End with layer of sauce, mozzarella and parmesan.
• Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours.
• Serve with grated parmesan cheese on top.

SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Stir ground beef, sausage, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt together in a bowl.
• Cook and stir beef mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic in hot oil until slightly golden and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Stir beef mixture, onion mixture, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and red peppers together in a large bowl.
• Stir 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a separate bowl.
• Spoon 1/3 of meat mixture into the slow cooker; top with 1/2 the ziti pasta. Drop 1/2 the cheese mixture by rounded tablespoons over the ziti; carefully spread cheese mixture over ziti using the back of the spoon. Repeat layering process 1 more time. Pour remaining meat sauce over the top and place the lid on the slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for until ziti is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on High for 3 to 5 hours).
• Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top of the baked ziti and let stand until melted, about 10 minutes.