This is seriously the easiest recipe ever! The only hard part is going to the store to shop for the ingredients. Little Dude is a lover of all things Italian, but he’s not a huge fan of pizza, go figure. He loves all the pasta dishes, meatballs, sausage and all the different kinds of hard salami.
While Little Dude and I were in Florida, we surprised my Mother- in- law and took her to lunch. She didn’t know we were coming. We showed up at her house and Little Dude rang her doorbell. He stood there holding a bouquet of Tulips. When she opened the door we yelled surprise! And she was surprised!
My mother- in- law was making lasagna in a slow cooker when we arrived. I was really shocked that the slow cooker would cook everything without having to cook the noodles first. It was easy and it turned out fine just a little oval shaped.
I figured when we got home I would try to make Baked Ziti in the slow cooker. What a perfect and easy way to make Little Dude one of his favorite meals fast and in record time.
Easy Peasy Baked Ziti
What you need:
1 package of penne noodles
2 jars of sauce, or make your own
1 pint of ricotta cheese
1 pound of ground turkey breast meat/ or beef ground meat (optional)
1 package of Mozzarella cheese (optional)
How to:
- Layer ingredients into the slow cooker.
- First pour a couple of spoonfuls of sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Put a couple of handfuls of penne noodles in the slow cooker on top of the sauce.
- Put the ricotta cheese on top of the noodles.
- Layer on top of the ricotta cheese with the rest of the penne noodles.
- Then pour the rest of the sauce onto. The top layer should always be sauce.
- If you are adding meat, cook & drain the meat. Then make a meat layer, then cover with sauce.
- Cook on low for 4- 6 hours.
Enjoy! Serve with a fresh garden salad.
Erlene says
I’ll definitely have to give this a try since I hate turning on the oven during the hot months. Pinned and will put this on my menu.
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Thank You Honey Blog says
Great! You’ll love it & it’s so easy! Thanks for stopping by
Marci says
I have never cooked pasta in the slow cooker. Looks delicious!
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Thank You Honey Blog says
It’s awesome! Not to mushy not too hard. It’s just right. Thanks for stopping by!
barbara says
Simple enough to try. I love my crockpot but never made pasta in it. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank You Honey Blog says
Thanks for stopping by!
Julia says
Baked ziti is such a great easy meal, looks fab!
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Thank You Honey Blog says
Thanks!
Dee says
Sounds yummy!!! (& easy)
Thank You Honey Blog says
Yummy & easy. It’s a win win! Thanks for stopping by!
Alison Shaffer says
that looks really good, and leftovers are even better. what a time saver not to boil the noodle and pots and pan saver too. great idea!
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Thank You Honey Blog says
Thank you!
Megan says
This looks so yummy and I love how you don’t have to cook the noodles first, thanks of sharing!
Thank You Honey Blog says
Yes! The best part. Thanks for stopping by!
Caitlin says
that does sound so easy!
Thank You Honey Blog says
It is so easy but not vegan:( Thanks for stopping by!
Stephanie R says
Mmm this looks SO good. Im going to pin this because I think my kids would love this.
Thank You Honey Blog says
It’s so good and great for busy day! Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanine @MommyEntourage says
My kids love ziti too! I make mine in the oven and add basil, an egg, some salt and pepper.
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Thank You Honey Blog says
Yummy! Thanks for stopping by!