Description
Comforting Crock Pot Baked Ziti brings Italian-inspired magic to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Cheesy layers of pasta, rich marinara, and melted mozzarella create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Meat and Vegetables:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (28 ounce / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce / 170 grams) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly browned, then incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until vegetables become translucent.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and classic Italian herbs, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop rich flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
- Prepare ziti pasta according to package instructions, ensuring to drain thoroughly after cooking.
- Gently fold cooked ziti into the prepared meat sauce, creating an even coating on the pasta.
- Generously grease the crock pot interior to prevent sticking.
- Create alternating layers within the crock pot: first the ziti and meat sauce mixture, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese, distribute mozzarella cheese, and delicately add dollops of sour cream.
- Secure the crock pot lid and set to low temperature, allowing the dish to slowly cook and meld flavors for 4 to 6 hours.
- Before serving, let the ziti rest for 10-15 minutes to help set and enhance overall texture.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce while simmering for a rich, complex taste profile.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free ziti or replacing pasta with zucchini noodles for a low-carb twist.
- Prevent cheese from burning by placing a layer of aluminum foil between the lid and the crock pot during slow cooking, ensuring even heat distribution.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 477 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg