The Best Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipes

THE BEST SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Spray the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the sauce and beef broth. Pour into the crockpot.
• Mix in the pasta.
• Cover and cook for 2 hours on low. Check at the 1 1/2 hour point in case your crockpot runs hot. You should NOT have to stir! The noodles will soak up the moisture and bake up perfectly.
• When the noodles are cooked, top with the mozza and Parmesan.
• If you have a removable ceramic insert, remove and broil the cheese in your oven until browned and crispy. If you don't, place the slow cooker lid back on and let the cheese melt.
• Serve and enjoy!

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.