Description
A comforting and easy-to-make slow cooker dish combining ziti pasta, savory meat, and rich cheeses for a family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey/sausage)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water, cook ziti according to package directions but reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes, then drain.
- Brown the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned.
- Mix the ricotta: Combine ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Layer the ingredients: Spread marinara sauce in the slow cooker, layer ziti, meat, ricotta mix, and mozzarella; repeat until ingredients are used up, finishing with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Let it cook: Cover and set the slow cooker on low for about 4 hours.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve hot with basil on top.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead and freezes well. Add fresh herbs or different cheeses for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg