Delicious slow cooker pasta dish with a nutritional boost from mushrooms and spinach!
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!
You can also make a similar recipe to this one that only requires 30 minutes: my Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta!
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!
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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Spinach
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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
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 48 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, ½ cup mozzarella, salt, and pepper.16 ounces ricotta cheese, 2 egg whites, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Cover the bottom of the slow cooker with about half of the ziti noodles.12 ounces ziti noodles
- Pour about 2 cups of spaghetti sauce over the top and spread evenly with a spoon.48 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 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.8 ounces sliced mushrooms, 10 ounces fresh 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
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Sarah
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
Hi Sarah, I have not tried that before, but definitely give it a shot, I think it will be delicious!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin
Mmmmmm! That looks super yummy! I love baked ziti. What a great idea to make it in a crockpot. Pinning!
Pauline Molinari
This looks super delish! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy recipe on the Monday Funday Party!
Alli @ Tornadough Alli
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!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes)
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.
Bernadette
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
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! 🙂
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Oooo...I gotta try this one. I've always gotten pasta mush when I've tried to make pasta in the slow cooker!
Cheryl
When do you put in the spinach?
Kristin King
Oh my goodness, I totally forget an entire step! I have fixed it now, thank you so much for letting me know!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
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!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
Beautiful photo! Our family loves anything in the slow cooker.