Crockpot Ziti

Now that I'm working full time, I love a good crockpot meal.  During our Countdown to 2011 one recipe (among many!) I decided to try was one for a crockpot lasagna pasta of sorts.

This recipe reminded both Frog Prince and I of our three cheese baked ziti recipe, and we loved the results.  With a crockpot dish, you don't get that nicely browned cheese on the top, but it was sure tasty!

Crockpot Ziti - From Creatively Domestic

2 C homemade spaghetti sauce
8oz whole wheat penne pasta
12 oz cottage cheese
4-5 oz spinach
6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
2-3 T Parmesan cheese

Place the cottage cheese in the blender and puree until rather smooth.

Then, add in the spinach. I used half of a package of frozen spinach - thawed and drained.

Spread 1/2 C of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a lightly greased crockpot.

Sprinkle on a few noodles.

Then, spread about 1/3 of the spinach cheese mixture over the top of the noodles.

Sprinkle on just a little mozzarella cheese.

Then, add sauce and repeat the layers.

I repeated the layers 3 times.

End with spaghetti sauce on the top and cover the top with cheese.

Cover, and cook on low for 3-6 hours.*  Check the dish after 3 hours and turn to warm if the noodles are cooked through.  

*Note: If you have 1-2 layers for your dish (i.e., bigger than a 4 qt crockpot), cook for 1-2 hours on low.  Cooking longer when you have fewer layers will result in overcooked noodles.

I used a 4 quart crockpot and this recipe filled it to the brim!

Just before serving, top with Parmesan cheese and allow the heat to melt the cheese before serving.

Serve warm.

The leftovers were pretty tasty too!

This recipe is linked to Recipe Swap Thursday, URS, Foodie Friday, It's a Keeper, Feasting in Fellowship Friday, Ingredient Spotlight.