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
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti noodles (1 box)
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese (1 container, can be low-fat)
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 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.
Note: This post has been shared at THESE link parties!
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Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
Beautiful photo! Our family loves anything in the slow cooker.
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Oh, this sounds right up my alley! 🙂 LOVE using my slow cooker, but you are right- it is easy to overcook the pasta to mush when making it in a slow cooker. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Cheryl says
When do you put in the spinach?
Kristin King says
Oh my goodness, I totally forget an entire step! I have fixed it now, thank you so much for letting me know!
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures says
Oooo…I gotta try this one. I’ve always gotten pasta mush when I’ve tried to make pasta in the slow cooker!
Bernadette says
Hi Kristin. I love waking up on Friday morning and reading your post as I drink my hot tea. Your recipes are wonderful, and you are an excellent writer (A+) who makes me smile. The baked ziti is one dish I can make while running here and there and everywhere! Thanks so much for this idea.
Kristin King says
Thanks Bernadette, you always make my day with your nice comments! 🙂 I hope you and the family are well and enjoying summer. I am sure there is some excitement happening around your house as you get ready for another to head off to college. Where did the time go? It seems these kids just grew up all of a sudden. Have a great weekend, and please tell your hubby we say hello! 🙂
Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says
this sounds so tasty! I’ve never cooked pasta in the crockpot like this, but I think I may have to give it a go. Sounds like a great idea on a busy Saturday or Sunday when I’m around the house, but want something easy for dinner.
Alli @ Tornadough Alli says
This looks so good! I love my slow cooker and use it almost weekly, so I am for sure going to add this to my rotation. I would love for you to link to to tonight’s Throw Back Thursday link party!
Pauline Molinari says
This looks super delish! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy recipe on the Monday Funday Party!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
Mmmmmm! That looks super yummy! I love baked ziti. What a great idea to make it in a crockpot. Pinning!
Alayna @AlaynasCreations says
Looks great! I really want to find some more good crockpot dishes to add to our weekly menus. Life gets so busy, with school getting ready to start again it just seems like a good idea to try to use the slowcooker at least once a week.
I am co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty link party this month and would love to have you stop by for a visit. The door is open for the current party through Monday night. http://alaynascreations.co/2015/08/14/home-matters-linky-party-50/
Sarah says
Hi there! I want to add ground beef to this recipe… Has anyone done that before? Don’t want it to turn out over cooked. Thanks!
Kristin King says
Hi Sarah, I have not tried that before, but definitely give it a shot, I think it will be delicious!
Jenny says
Where the noodle supposed to be cooked when you put them into the crockpot?
Kristin King says
No, the noodles should not be cooked when you put them in. If they are, they will be complete mush when done. Although it will be very tasty mush! 🙂
Marlene Stindle says
This sounds really good, but I would add cooked Italian sausage and green pepper! Thanks
Mel Farrell says
what size slow cooker works best for this?
Kristin King says
I use a 5 quart slow cooker. I have to kind of pack it in because the fresh spinach takes up a lot of room, but it cooks down pretty fast. Let me know if you have any other questions!
dorothy says
can you cook on high for two hours instead?
Kristin King says
I have not actually tried that, Dorothy. Sorry! I have only tried it on low. You could give it a shot, but just make sure you have a backup plan in case it doesn’t turn out! 🙂
Dorothy says
My husband loves this recipe! Just make sure to spin the spinach and dry off the mushrooms as much as possible to prevent the ziti from getting too soupy.
Kristin King says
Good tip, thanks! I am glad your husband likes it! 🙂
Donna LaBella says
what is the nutrition for this. I am watching my cholesterol and salt intake. I am looking for Healthy receipes for the crockpot
Kristin King says
Hi Donna, I actually don’t like to give nutritional information anymore because of the wide fluctuation based on what products people buy. My suggestion is to plug the ingredients in to a calorie calculator like the one at My Fitness Pal (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator), specifying the brands that you use, and that will get you a lot closer to the actual nutritional information that will be in your final product. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Judee says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I like to make baked ziti when I have company and this would certainly make it alot easier. I would even let people help themselves from the crock pot. Perfect for holiday parties…
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
This looks so creamy and delicious – Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party!
DIY Home Sweet Home says
Sounds amazing!! Thanks for linking up to More the Merrier Monday. Can’t wait to see what you’ll be linking up next week.
DIY Home Sweet Home
http://www.diyhsh.com
Life Diet Health says
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.
Kim~madeinaday says
Great tips to avoid mush! Sharing! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Kippi says
Looks and sounds delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jann Olson says
I make a baked ziti, but I’ll have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann