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    Home » Beef

    Slow Cooker Ziti

    April 23, 2014 by Kristin 8 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Slow Cooker Ziti is made entirely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same great flavor!

    pasta, ground beef, and sauce combined in the slow cooker for a quick shortcut to classic baked ziti

    My favorite dinner is one that I can throw together in the slow cooker, and the whole family ends up loving.

    Yesterday morning, I added all the ingredients for this meal together in a matter of minutes. I was able to spend the entire day outside, and then come in around dinner, and serve this yummy dish!

    The whole family loved it, and since it made tons, my hubby was able to bring it for lunch the next day as well!

    When I was originally thinking about the pasta cooking itself in the liquid, I was a little worried it would turn mushy, however, the noodles were cooked perfectly!!

    Best of all, you can freeze the leftovers for another meal down the road!!!

    Ingredients needed for this Slow Cooker Ziti:

    Ground turkey (or beef)

    Onion, diced

    Italian seasoning

    Salt

    Ground pepper

    Garlic powder

    Pasta sauce

    Ricotta cheese

    Egg whites

    Mozzarella cheese, shredded

    Parmesan cheese, grated

    Ziti pasta, uncooked

    How to prepare:

    Spray your slow cooker, or line it with a Reynold’s liner. This will make clean up much easier!!

    In a pan over medium heat, cook the turkey and onion together until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.

    Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic.

    Add in the 2 jars of pasta sauce.

    In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.

    On the bottom of the slow cooker, pour 2 cups of the meat mixture onto the bottom evenly.

    Pour half the uncooked noodles on top, followed by half of the cheese mixture.

    Next, pour 2 more cups of meat mixture on top, followed by remaining noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and lastly, the remaining sauce.

    Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low about 4-5 hours, or until noodles are tender.

    During the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top and allow to melt completely prior to serving!

    ziti pasta cooked in the convenience of the slow cooker with cheese, sauce, and meat

    Check out these other great slow cooker recipes:

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Melt In Your Mouth Slow Cooker Chicken

    Crockpot Crack Chicken

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

    With the right ingredients and this recipe, you can enjoy delicious slow cooker ziti right at home. Print or save the recipe below and be sure to add it to your next meal plan!

    pasta, ground beef, and sauce combined in the slow cooker for a quick shortcut to classic baked ziti
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Slow Cooker Ziti

    Slow Cooker Ziti is made entirely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same great flavor!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Keyword: baked ziti, crockpot, pasta, slow cooker
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 474kcal
    Author: The Cookin' Chicks

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Slow Cooker Liners
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 onion *diced
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 jars pasta sauce *25 oz jars
    • 15 oz Ricotta cheese
    • 2 egg whites
    • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese *shredded
    • 1 cup Parmesan cheese *grated
    • 16 oz Ziti pasta *uncooked

    Instructions

    • Spray your slow cooker, or line it with a Reynold’s liner. This will make clean up much easier!!
    • In a pan over medium heat, cook the turkey and onion together until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
    • Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic.
    • Add in the 2 jars of pasta sauce.
    • In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.
    • In the bottom of the slow cooker, pour 2 cups of the meat mixture onto the bottom evenly.
    • Pour half the uncooked noodles on top, followed by half of the cheese mixture.
    • Next, pour 2 more cups of meat mixture on top, followed by remaining noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and lastly, the remaining sauce.
    • Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low about 4-5 hours, or until noodles are tender.
    • During the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top and allow to melt completely prior to serving!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

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    Welcome to the cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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