Here’s another slow cooker recipe for you! My slow cooker is my BFF. I use it at least once a week, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week!
The family’s #1 favorite slow cooker recipe is my Easiest Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice. That one is a guaranteed winner, every time I make it! Up to this point, the #2 favorite spot was held by my Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole. But now, Slow Cooker Baked Ziti has moved into the #2 spot, bumping Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole down to #3!
It did take me a couple of tries to get this just right. It is easy to overcook the ziti and then you are left with Pasta Mush. It is not a bad-tasting dish, but not the best aesthetic, either. To avoid Pasta Mush, you want to start with uncooked ziti noodles. Which works out great, because it effectively eliminates a recipe step AND another pot to wash. Hooray!
The second tip is to be careful with your timing. Normally there will be a wide window of cooking time for slow cooker recipes. For this one, I found that it was done at the 4 hour mark, and if I let it go for more than 5 hours, I had Pasta Mush. So set that timer for 4 hours, and try to serve it fairly soon after it is done for the best results!
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti With Mushrooms and Spinach
Print RecipeIngredients
- 12 ounces ziti noodles (1 box)
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese (1 container, can be low-fat)
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce (2 jars, divided)
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 10 ounces fresh spinach (1 bag)
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg whites, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the bottom of the slow cooker with about half of the ziti noodles.
- Pour about 2 cups of spaghetti sauce over the top and spread evenly with a spoon.
- Distribute about half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce and spread evenly.
- Place the mushrooms on top of the ricotta, and then the spinach.
- Place remaining noodles on top, then spread another 2 cups of sauce, then spread the remaining ricotta cheese mixture.
- Pour the remaining sauce on top and spread evenly.
- Cook on low for about 4 hours. No more than 5!
- About 5 minutes before serving, remove lid and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over top. Replace the lid and let the cheese melt before serving.
Nutrition
Note: This post has been shared at THESE link parties!
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Jann Olson
I make a baked ziti, but I’ll have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Kippi
Looks and sounds delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.
Kim~madeinaday
Great tips to avoid mush! Sharing! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Life Diet Health
Kristin this looks like something my boys would love. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday – I can see your main party link up but not a link to this weeks co-hosts? Trupti @ http://myculinarysaga.com and me at http://www.lifediethealth.wordpress.com Thank you.