Description
This savory slow cooker baked ziti is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal with minimal effort. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
- 1 jar pasta sauce (650 ml)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 box penne or ziti (375 grams)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, salt, basil, and parsley.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker. Add tomatoes, pasta sauce, and broth. Stir to combine.
- Cook in the Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Add Pasta to the Slow Cooker: Switch to high heat. Add pasta, stir, and cook for 15-30 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and cook until melted. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can customize this dish by adding your favorite vegetables or using different types of cheese.
- For a vegetarian version, you can omit the ground beef and use plant-based meat alternatives.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: slow cooker baked ziti, pasta recipe, comfort food, easy dinner recipe
