Description
A comforting and easy-to-make crockpot recipe for Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti. This delicious dish features layers of marinara sauce, uncooked ziti pasta, and a flavorful cheese mixture. Perfect for a family dinner!
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture:
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shaved or shredded
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 clove minced garlic or 1 teaspoon dried garlic
Other Ingredients:
- 48 ounces marinara sauce (two 24-ounce jars)
- 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded or grated
Instructions
- Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix well.
- Layering: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Spread 2 cups of marinara sauce on the bottom. Add 1/3 of the ziti noodles, followed by 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with a cup of sauce on top.
- Cooking: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours. After 3.5 hours, top with mozzarella and cook uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. Let stand for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add cooked ground meat to the sauce for a heartier dish.
- Experiment with different marinara brands for variety.
- Include vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added flavor.
- Penne pasta or ricotta cheese can be substituted.
- Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker’s performance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 333 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1234mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0.002g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
