family dinner Archives - Crock Pots and Flip Flops

Breaking News! You can make pasta in your slow cooker. This Crock Pot Baked Ziti was made completely in the slow cooker. Cheesy, gooey pasta is a must try in your slow cooker! I know, I know. It’s hard to believe!

You don’t even have to cook the pasta before. I thought that the pasta would turn to mush but they ended up just like regular baked ziti. The best part is that I didn’t have to heat up my kitchen since it was 102 degrees the day I made it! There are actually tons of Italian recipes you can make in your slow cooker, two other easy ones are Creamy Italian Chicken and Bruschetta Chicken, if you aren’t feeling pasta.

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Secret Step for Crock Pot Baked Ziti

The secret is that you don’t add any water to the pasta and the tomato sauce slowly cooks the pasta for you. This recipe is so simple that all you have to do is mix a few ingredients together and then layer them all just like the traditional baked ziti.

Cheese, Cheese, and more Cheese!

The triple cheese blend makes this baked ziti a melty cheesy masterpiece. All of these cheeses add a unique flavor and gives you that real Italian restaurant Baked Ziti experience.

– Ricotta

– Parmesan

– Mozzarella

Types of Pasta

I actually used this gluten free penne pasta instead of ziti! I couldn’t find gluten free ziti at the grocery store. As you can see it doesn’t make a difference at all. You can use any tube pasta you should be good to go.

Ingredients to Make Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Jarred pasta sauce or homemade pasta sauce

Uncooked ziti/penne pasta

Ricotta cheese

Eggs

Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Basil

Salt and Pepper

Step by Step Directions for Crock Pot Baked Ziti

STEP 1. Spray Slow Cooker with Non Stick Spray

STEP 2. Mix Ricotta Cheese with egg and spices.

STEP 3. Layer sauce on bottom of the Slow Cooker

STEP 4. Layer Noodles

STEP 5. Scoop Five Dollops of Ricotta

STEP 6. Add Layer of Mozzarella

STEP 7. Repeat these layers two times times.

STEP 8. Add one more layer of pasta, sauce, mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. (No Noodles on this layer)

STEP 9. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours

Perfect for Potluck

Crock Pot Baked Ziti makes A LOT of pasta! I love to make this as a main dish to bring to potlucks and everyone always raves about it. This will easily serve 6-8 people with large portions for a family dinner or you can freeze the leftovers and eat it later. We always freeze our leftovers and then eat it the following week!

Food Allergies

Gluten Free – I make everything gluten free in our house because my husband has celiac disease, which is when you are allergic to gluten. Our favorite pasta is the Gluten Free Barillla Pasta line. It doesn’t have the after taste of some pasta’s made with beans. I find that it is the best one at staying together while cooking. Some brands disintegrate especially when using in this kind of recipe where the pasta is soaking in sauce soaking.

If you are not gluten free swap the gluten free pasta for any ziti or penne.

Need A New Crock Pot?

My favorite is this Crock Pot 7 quart Programmable Slow Cooker. First and foremost, I love being able to set the timer in case I’m not home when the food is finished cooking and it just switches to warm. Plus you can lock the lid and just carry it to a party. Not only is it easy to carry but also you will never lose another Tupperware or serving dish again at a potluck party!

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Author: Allison Treadwell

Make this easy classic comfort food in your Crock Pot! Cheesy, Gooey and Delicious in every bite.

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3.94 from 552 votes

Course : Dinner

Cuisine : Italian

Servings : 8 servings

Calories : 586

Total Time : 2 hrs 50 mins

Prep Time : 20 mins

Cook Time : 2 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

32 oz ricotta
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan plus more for topping
48 oz marina sauce 2 jars (24 oz jars)
12 oz gluten free penne
16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Spray entire slow cooker insert with non-stick spray.
In large bowl, mix ricotta with two eggs, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper.
Cover bottom of slow cooker with sauce.
Layer pasta on top of sauce.
Take 5 scoops of the ricotta mixture drop onto sauce.
Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat steps 3-5 two more times.
End with layer of sauce, mozzarella and parmesan.
Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition

More Casseroles

Looking for more easy casseroles? Try this easy Mexican Casserole.

Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

Looking for a list of Essential Kitchen Tools for Crockpot Meals?

Here’s all my favorite kitchen tools!

This classic comfort food is so easy in a slow cooker! Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie came from some creative women trying to use their leftovers back in the 1800s. I guess not much has changed since the 1800s, women just trying to turn their leftovers into something new for dinner.

This meaty meal is filled with vegetables and topped with mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes so this is an easy way to get my fix! The flavors come together into the perfect, cozy meal. Feel free to swap the lamb for all beef depending on what you like.

What is the difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?

The difference between Shephard’s Pie and Cottage Pie is the meat you use. Traditionally Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb and Cottage Pie is made with ground beef. However, as time has gone on most people call both versions Shephard’s Pie. There is a very serious debate over what is Shepherd’s Pie and what is Cottage Pie for some people but I made mine with ground beef but still call it Shepherd’s Pie. Here in the United States, we make Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef typically. However, in the United Kingdom, they use lamb in their Shepherd’s Pie. They call a similar dish using ground beef, Cottage Pie.

Perfect Dish for Leftovers

I always love using leftovers for different recipes and building them into my meal plans. (Here’s a link to the meal planner I use every week) Whenever I have leftover mashed potatoes or peas I use them to make this dish.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Ground beef or lamb
Onion
French onion mix packet
Frozen vegetable mix
Cream of Mushroom
Worcestershire sauce
Cheddar cheese
2 packages (24 ounces each) of prepared mashed potatoes, leftover potatoes, or any mashed potatoes

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Mashed Potatoes– You can use leftover mashed potatoes, instant mashed potatoes, or make them fresh. They are all delicious and work great!

Ground Beef or Ground Lamb– I have made this both with a mix of ground beef and ground lamb and with only ground beef. It’s easier for me to find ground beef so that’s what I use. You can use either beef or lamb or even both!

How to Make Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Step 1. Brown meat and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring to break up meat. Drain fat. Add meat to the slow cooker.

Step 2. Add frozen vegetable mix, French Onion Mix packet, cream of mushroom soup, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker.

Step 3. Stir to combine all ingredients.

Step 4. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Step 5. Once finished cooking add a layer of mashed potatoes and shredded cheese. Cover and let cheese melt.

Step 6. Optional- Place under broiler for 5 minutes to brown mashed potatoes and cheese.

Need A New Crock Pot?

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Author: Allison Treadwell

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a classic comfort food that is filling and hearty. Layers of savory meat, veggies, mashed potatoes, and cheese create the ultimate one-pot dinner.

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5 from 8 votes

Course : Dinner

Cuisine : Irish

Servings : 6 servings

Calories : 699

Total Time : 7 hrs 20 mins

Prep Time : 20 mins

Cook Time : 6 hrs