Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Name: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound bulk sausage; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 onions, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1 (16 ounce) jar chopped roasted red peppers; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 (16 ounce) packages ziti pasta

17 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk sausage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) jar chopped roasted red peppers
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 (16 ounce) packages ziti pasta

Directions

1

Stir ground beef, sausage, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt together in a bowl.
2

Cook and stir beef mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes.
3

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic in hot oil until slightly golden and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
4

Stir beef mixture, onion mixture, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and red peppers together in a large bowl.
5

Stir 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a separate bowl.
6

Spoon 1/3 of meat mixture into the slow cooker; top with 1/2 the ziti pasta. Drop 1/2 the cheese mixture by rounded tablespoons over the ziti; carefully spread cheese mixture over ziti using the back of the spoon. Repeat layering process 1 more time. Pour remaining meat sauce over the top and place the lid on the slow cooker.
7

Cook on Low for until ziti is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on High for 3 to 5 hours).
8

Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top of the baked ziti and let stand until melted, about 10 minutes.