Description
Ziti emerges as a comforting Italian-American pasta dish that simmers with rich cheesy goodness. Slow cookers simplify meal preparation, delivering hearty flavors you’ll savor without extensive kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish:
- Parsley
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat the interior of the slow cooker with non-stick spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Create the first foundation layer by spreading marinara sauce across the bottom of the crockpot, establishing a moisture base for the pasta.
- Construct the initial ingredient stratum by carefully arranging half of the uncooked ziti across the sauce, creating an even, uniform distribution.
- Distribute the first portion of ricotta cheese over the ziti, spreading it gently to cover the pasta layer completely.
- Add the initial layer of mozzarella cheese, ensuring a consistent coverage that will melt and bind the ingredients.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining uncooked ziti, creating a second substantial pasta foundation.
- Apply the second portion of ricotta cheese, mirroring the previous layer’s technique for even distribution.
- Complete the cheese layers by adding the remaining mozzarella, creating a rich, creamy texture throughout the dish.
- Drizzle the remaining marinara sauce across the top, allowing it to seep between the layers and provide moisture.
- Generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning over the surface, adding depth of flavor and aromatic complexity.
- Secure the crockpot lid and set to low temperature, cooking for 3-4 hours until pasta reaches perfect tenderness and cheese melts completely.
- Once cooking is complete, garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, fresh element before serving.
Notes
- Swap pasta types easily by using gluten-free penne or whole wheat ziti for dietary needs.
- Enhance flavor by sautéing fresh garlic and onions before adding to the crockpot for deeper taste complexity.
- Prevent dry edges by ensuring pasta is completely covered with sauce during cooking.
- Reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours if using smaller crockpot or fewer ingredients to avoid overcooking pasta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg