Description
This delicious crockpot baked ziti recipe is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. With layers of Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and cheesy goodness, this dish is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
- – 1 tablespoon olive oil
- – 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- – 1/2 onion, chopped
- – 3 cloves garlic, minced
- – 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- – 36 ounces marinara sauce (1 1/2 jars)
- – 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- – 1 pound dry ziti pasta (1 box)
- – 1 cup ricotta cheese
- – 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- – Grated Parmesan cheese, optional for topping
- – Fresh basil, optional for topping
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned.
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Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened.
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Stir in Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, followed by beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
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Layer the dry ziti pasta in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Pour the sausage mixture over the pasta, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
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Dollop ricotta cheese over the mixture, then top with mozzarella cheese.
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Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the dish is bubbly.
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Optional: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.
Notes
– For a vegetarian version, substitute the Italian sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles.
– Add some chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg