Description
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a delicious and hearty Italian-American pasta dish made entirely in the slow cooker. Featuring ground beef, aromatic herbs, diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, and penne pasta cooked to perfection, it’s a comforting meal topped with melted mozzarella cheese. The crockpot method makes it incredibly easy to prepare, allowing flavors to meld slowly for a rich, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid (28oz or 798ml)
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340g)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and finely chopped onion, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the meat is cooked through and the onions are translucent.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried basil, and dried parsley into the beef mixture. Cook for an additional 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the cooked beef and onion mixture into a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the can of diced tomatoes (with liquid), marinara sauce, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir thoroughly to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Sauce Base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Add Pasta and Cook: Increase the slow cooker temperature to high. Add the dry penne or ziti pasta directly into the slow cooker and stir to incorporate. Cover again and cook for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring at the 15-minute mark, until the pasta is tender but still slightly firm (al dente).
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the slow cooker insert from the heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Notes
- This recipe is convenient because the pasta cooks directly in the slow cooker, eliminating the need to boil separately.
- The slow cooker melds the flavors beautifully, making for a rich, hearty dish with minimal active prep time.
- You can use low-sodium chicken broth and salt to control sodium levels as desired.
- This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives.
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
