Description
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting Italian-American classic made easy with the convenience of a slow cooker. Ground beef is browned with onions and garlic, then combined with tomatoes, marinara sauce, chicken broth, and dry pasta, all cooked together until tender. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, this dish offers a deliciously cheesy and flavorful meal perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Spices
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid (28oz or 798ml)
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340g)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and finely chopped onion until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried basil, and dried parsley and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the browned beef mixture into a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes with their liquid, marinara sauce, and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring everything together thoroughly.
- Slow Cook the Sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours to develop deep flavors and tenderize the mixture.
- Add Uncooked Pasta: After the initial cooking, switch the slow cooker to high. Stir in the uncooked dry penne or ziti pasta until well combined. Cover and continue cooking for 15 to 30 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark and stirring, until the pasta is al dente.
- Final Cheese Topping: Remove the slow cooker insert from heat. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta and sauce. Cover again and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Notes
- This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is made entirely in the slow cooker, including the pasta, making it a hassle-free alternative to traditional baked ziti recipes.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the sodium levels in the dish.
- Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker model, as some may cook faster or slower.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or additional vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 645 grams
- Calories: 587 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1618 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
