Description
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a delicious and convenient twist on the classic baked pasta casserole. Made entirely in the slow cooker, this recipe combines browned ground beef and onions with aromatic herbs, diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, and chicken broth, all slow-cooked to perfection. Uncooked penne pasta is added toward the end and cooked until al dente, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a comforting, cheesy finish. It’s an easy one-pot meal that delivers rich flavors without the fuss of traditional baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Tomato and Sauces
- 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid (28 oz / 798 ml)
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
Liquids
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340 g)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried basil, and dried parsley. Cook for an additional 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Transfer and Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the canned diced tomatoes with their liquid, marinara sauce, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir everything well to combine.
- Slow Cook the Sauce Base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Pasta and Cook: Switch the slow cooker to the high setting. Add the uncooked dry penne or ziti pasta and stir gently until evenly combined with the sauce. Cover and cook for 15 to 30 minutes, checking and stirring at the 15-minute mark, until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Finish with Mozzarella: Once the pasta is cooked, remove the slow cooker insert from heat. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Notes
- This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is made entirely in the crockpot, including the pasta, making cleanup easy.
- The slow cooking time allows the flavors to deepen and the beef to become tender without the need for browning the pasta separately.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and sauce to control salt levels if desired.
- Check the pasta at 15 minutes to ensure it doesn’t overcook; timing may vary depending on your slow cooker.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth.
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
