Crock Pot Baked Ziti
A comforting dish that combines pasta, cheese, and a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in a slow cooker for an easy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Cheese Mixture
- 32 oz ricotta creamy texture
- 2 large eggs binding agent
- 1 teaspoon salt enhances flavor
- 1 teaspoon basil herbal aroma
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper adds a hint of spice
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan plus more for topping; savory and slightly nutty flavor
For the Main Dish
- 48 oz marinara sauce 2 jars (24 oz jars); rich tomato flavor
- 12 oz gluten-free penne firm structure
- 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese melted and gooey texture
Instructions
Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, salt, basil, and pepper. Blend until smooth and even.
- Add the marinara sauce to the mixture and fold until fully combined.
- Pour a small part of the marinara and ricotta mixture into the bottom of the crock pot to create an initial layer.
- Add half of the gluten-free penne, spreading it evenly over the sauce layer.
- Add half of the remaining marinara and ricotta mixture over the penne and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining penne, followed by the rest of the marinara and ricotta mixture, and finish with the remaining mozzarella.
Cooking
- Cover the crock pot and set it to low for 4 to 6 hours. Monitor occasionally without lifting the lid.
- Check that the pasta is tender and the cheese is bubbly. Serve hot and sprinkle additional grated Parmesan on top.
Notes
Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing. For a meatier version, consider adding browned ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8g
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