Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 2 lbs whole milk mozzarella cheese ((I like to use the Polly-O Mozzarella Cheese blocks))
  • 2 lbs uncooked ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef (browned and drained well)
  • 45 ounce jar pasta sauce ((or homemade meat sauce))
  • 32 ounce whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Instruction

  • Turn crock pot on high.
  • Brown the ground beef and drain well.
  • Return the ground beef to the pan and pour sauce in, mix well and remove from heat.
  • In a bowl beat the egg.
  • Mix the ricotta cheese, parsley, salt and pepper into the egg.
  • Cut mozzarella cheese into small cubes.
  • Spray a 6 or 7 quart crock pot with cooking spray or wipe down with oil to prevent sticking.
  • Add about 1 1/2 cups of sauce and meat into the bottom of the crock pot and spread evenly over the bottom.
  • Spread a layer of ricotta cheese over the sauce.
  • Add a layer of uncooked ziti pasta and spread evenly over the ricotta cheese.
  • Spread a layer of sauce and meat over the pasta.
  • Repeat layering the pasta, sauce, ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese until you have filled the crock pot or run out of ingredients being sure to end with a layer of mozzarella cheese as the final layer.
  • Place the cover on the crock pot and cook on high.
  • Slow cook for 4 hours or until the pasta is cooked through.
  • Serve with a side salad and crusty bread.