Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound bulk sausage
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions , chopped
• 2 cloves garlic , chopped
• 1 , 29 ounce
• 1 , 28 ounce
• 1 , 28 ounce
• 1 , 16 ounce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese , divided
• 1 , 15 ounce
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 , 16 ounce

Instructions

1. 1 Stir ground beef, sausage, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt together in a bowl.
2. 2 Cook and stir beef mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes.
3. 3 Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic in hot oil until slightly golden and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. 4 Stir beef mixture, onion mixture, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and red peppers together in a large bowl.
5. 5 Stir 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a separate bowl.
6. 6 Spoon 1/3 of meat mixture into the slow cooker; top with 1/2 the ziti pasta. Drop 1/2 the cheese mixture by rounded tablespoons over the ziti; carefully spread cheese mixture over ziti using the back of the spoon. Repeat layering process 1 more time. Pour remaining meat sauce over the top and place the lid on the slow cooker.
7. 7 Cook on Low for until ziti is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on High for 3 to 5 hours).
8. 8 Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top of the baked ziti and let stand until melted, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition per serving