What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for ziti or penne, you’ve got some flexibility when it comes to choosing your pasta shape. Both ziti and penne are tube-shaped pastas with slight differences – ziti has straight-cut ends while penne has angled cuts and tiny ridges on the outside. Any medium-sized tube pasta will work well in this slow cooker recipe since they’re sturdy enough to hold up during the longer cooking time. If you can’t find ziti or penne, you can substitute with rigatoni or even rotini – just make sure to stick with regular pasta rather than thin or delicate shapes that might become too soft. When shopping, look for pasta made from durum wheat semolina, as it tends to hold its shape better and won’t turn mushy in the slow cooker.

Options for Substitutions

This slow cooker pasta recipe is super adaptable and gives you lots of room to play with ingredients:

• Ground beef: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage (mild or spicy), or even plant-based ground meat alternatives. If using turkey, add an extra tablespoon of olive oil since it’s leaner.
• Pasta shapes: While the recipe calls for penne or ziti, any short pasta works well – try rigatoni, rotini, or even medium shells. Just avoid tiny pasta shapes like orzo as they might get too soft.
• Mozzarella cheese: Feel free to mix up the cheese – try provolone, Italian cheese blend, or even a mix of mozzarella and parmesan. For a dairy-free version, you can use dairy-free cheese alternatives, though they might not melt quite the same way.
• Broth: Any type of broth works here – chicken, beef, or vegetable. You can even use water with extra bouillon cubes in a pinch, just add an extra pinch of salt and herbs.
• Pasta sauce: Any jarred pasta sauce works great – marinara, tomato basil, or even spicy arrabbiata. You can also use plain crushed tomatoes with an extra teaspoon each of Italian herbs and garlic powder.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge with slow cooker pasta is timing – cooking it too long can turn your ziti into a mushy disappointment, so aim to check it about 30 minutes before the recommended cooking time.

A common error is adding too much liquid at the start, which can result in soup rather than a pasta dish – stick to the exact measurements for broth and sauce, as the pasta will release starch and thicken the sauce as it cooks.

To prevent the cheese from becoming tough and stringy, avoid adding it until the final 15-20 minutes of cooking time, and make sure to spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray before starting to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.

For the best texture, stir the pasta gently halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution, and remember that different slow cookers can vary in temperature – yours might cook faster or slower than the recipe suggests.

What to Serve With Baked Ziti?

This hearty pasta dish calls for some simple sides that won’t overshadow the main event. A fresh green salad with a light Italian dressing makes the perfect partner – the crisp lettuce and cool vegetables balance out the rich, cheesy pasta. Warm garlic bread is another no-brainer, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce left on your plate. If you want to add more vegetables to your meal, try some roasted broccoli or sautéed green beans on the side – they’re easy to prepare while the ziti is cooking in the slow cooker and add nice color to your plate.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This slow cooker baked ziti is great for leftovers! Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The pasta might absorb more sauce as it sits, but that just means more flavor in every bite.

Freeze: Good news – this dish freezes really well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay good for up to 3 months. I like to divide it into smaller portions before freezing, so I can thaw just what I need for quick weeknight dinners.

Reheat: To warm up your ziti, add a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out, then heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. If it’s frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. You can also cover it with foil and pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes until it’s heated through.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	180-360 minutes
Total Time	195-380 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2500
• Protein: 130-150 g
• Fat: 110-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or choose turkey or italian sausage)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
• 1 jar pasta sauce (650 ml, about 2 1/2 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or use beef or vegetable broth)
• 1 box penne or ziti (375 grams, or about 4 cups of short pasta)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Mixture

In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.

Stir in minced garlic, a pinch of salt, dried basil, and parsley, cooking for an additional minute to release the flavors.

For a time-saving alternative, you can choose to add the raw onion, garlic, and spices directly into the slow cooker with the other ingredients.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Transfer the cooked beef mixture (or the raw onion and spices if choosing that method) to a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.

Add canned tomatoes, pasta sauce, and broth to the slow cooker.

Stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are combined evenly.

Step 3: Cook in the Slow Cooker

Set the slow cooker to cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and develop a rich taste.

Step 4: Add Pasta to the Slow Cooker

After the initial cooking time, switch the slow cooker to the high setting.

Add your choice of pasta, stirring it into the sauce until well combined.

Cover the slow cooker and continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes, checking and stirring at the 15-minute mark, until the pasta reaches your desired level of tenderness.

Step 5: Finish with Cheese and Serve

Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, sprinkle the top with your favorite cheese.

Cover the slow cooker again and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and deliciously gooey.

Serve hot, and enjoy your comforting and flavorful slow-cooked pasta dish!