topic Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake in Kitchen

Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

GloriBee — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:07:51 GMT

I was wondering if anyone had ever made Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake, which is posted on her blog.

I was thinking this might be a good thing to make for our annual Super Bowl Party. I was looking for feedback, since there isn't any on the thread on her blog.

Thanks!

Gloria

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Suzeecat — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:36:36 GMT

I haven't tried it, but thanks for bringing it to my attention. I would love to try this one, I'm always looking for good, different slow cooker recipes.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:53:47 GMT

I make a variation of this (Italian sausage instead of hamburger and add green peppers and mushrooms), but it's so easy to just mix the ingredients, I don't bother using a slow cooker.

Just pre-cook the pasta, mix with everything except mozzarella cheese...top with the cheese and bake for 30 minutes.

Or prepare in advance, refrigerate and then cook for 45 minutes on game day.

It makes a LOT...and is great as a leftover too.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

brandy — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:41:38 GMT

Have made this twice. Like how the sauce cooks into the uncooked pasta and it dosen't get mushy. Made this for Christma Eve guests put together in the morning and it gave me the rest of the day ot get other things done. Try is it's very good.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:05:13 GMT

Jill has expensive taste...Rao's sauce is almost $7 a jar here in Buffalo!

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Lynneuk — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:23:48 GMT

Terrier2, I really like the Wegman's Parmesan Romano marinara sauce. And at 99c, you can't go wrong! Love Wegman's.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Topaz Gem — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:29:03 GMT

I think the pasta bake would be perfect for a Super Bowl party. In fact, I just copied it and plan to make it this weekend. I have most of the ingredients on hand and just need to pick up a couple more.

Thanks.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:30:46 GMT

On 1/16/2014 Lynneuk said:
Terrier2, I really like the Wegman's Parmesan Romano marinara sauce. And at 99c, you can't go wrong! Love Wegman's.

That is what I am using in my oven variation of this recipe tomorrow for my lunch party!

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:48:42 GMT

On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
Jill has expensive taste...Rao's sauce is almost $7 a jar here in Buffalo!

I've honestly never heard of it. But I don't think she has to worry about the cost. LOL

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:51:16 GMT

On 1/16/2014 LipstickDiva said:
On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
Jill has expensive taste...Rao's sauce is almost $7 a jar here in Buffalo!

I've honestly never heard of it. But I don't think she has to worry about the cost. LOL

It's from a famous Italian restaurant in NYC.

Wegmans sells it.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:54:36 GMT

On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/16/2014 LipstickDiva said:
On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
Jill has expensive taste...Rao's sauce is almost $7 a jar here in Buffalo!

I've honestly never heard of it. But I don't think she has to worry about the cost. LOL

It's from a famous Italian restaurant in NYC.

Wegmans sells it.

Aah. We don't have a Wegmans. I've never seen it at my grocery store. Actually I've never heard of any of the three sauces she recommends. LOL

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

GloriBee — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:03:58 GMT

Thanks to everyone for such great and helpful replies!

suzeecat, you're welcome! Glad to share a recipe (though I haven't tried it yet), since I always get so many great recipes on this bb.

terrier2, you read my mind! I think I will make this with ground Italian sausage instead (we prefer that). I agree. It's easy enough to make it and bake it with pasta that has been boiled, but I want to see how it comes out with uncooked pasta. That saves a step. Of course, the slow cooker takes longer.

brandy, so glad to have your feedback! Nice to see you have tried it twice. I was really wondering how it worked out with only the sauce for "liquid", but I guess it works out O.K. I was surprised a little water wasn't added with the sauce.

Topaz Gem, thanks for the positive feedback--I think it should be good, too. I think I want to do a trial run this weekend. If you make it this weekend, please let me know how it came out for you and I will do the same.

Thanks, again!

Gloria

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

vera11 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:07:19 GMT

speaking of Raos..i used to live close to this nyc restaurant many yrs ago..buy the sauce when its on sale..it beats them all..the label lists only the best ingredients.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

TuesdayTaylor — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:27:21 GMT

Thanks, Gloria! I'm going to give it a try, too! I love slow-cooker recipes.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

GloriBee — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:15:51 GMT

On 1/16/2014 TuesdayTaylor said:
Thanks, Gloria! I'm going to give it a try, too! I love slow-cooker recipes.

You're welcome, TuesdayTaylor!

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

GloriBee — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:20:00 GMT

On 1/16/2014 brandy said:
Have made this twice. Like how the sauce cooks into the uncooked pasta and it dosen't get mushy. Made this for Christma Eve guests put together in the morning and it gave me the rest of the day ot get other things done. Try is it's very good.

Hi, brandy! Just realized that it doesn't specify the size of the sauce jars! I was thinking the standard size...maybe 24 oz., or so. Could you please tell me what size (approximately) you used?

Thanks so much!

Gloria

Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

This recipe is prepared with the Ninja 3-in-1 6-Quart Nonstick Cooking System (K39754).

Ingredients:

1 lb box uncooked pasta (I like penne or ziti)
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 jars of your favorite pasta sauce (I like Rao's, Bove's, or Roselli's)
1 (15-oz) container Ricotta cheese
1 cup Parmesan, grated
2 cup Mozzarella, shredded and divided

Preparation:

Add the beef and onions to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pasta sauce. Set aside.
Mix the Ricotta, Parmesan, and 1–1/2 cup of the Mozzarella in a separate bowl. Spoon about 2 cups of the meat mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with 1/2 box of the uncooked pasta. Spoon half of the cheese mixture over the pasta and spread it out evenly. Repeat the layers, using 2 more cups of the meat mixture, the remaining pasta, and remaining cheese mixture. Take the remaining meat mixture and cover completely.
Turn the slow cooker onto low and cook for about 6–7 hours, or until the pasta is tender. Remove the lid and sprinkle the remaining Mozzarella cheese on top. Let the casserole stand while the cheese melts.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

lulu2 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:28:18 GMT

On 1/16/2014 vera11 said:
speaking of Raos..i used to live close to this nyc restaurant many yrs ago..buy the sauce when its on sale..it beats them all..the label lists only the best ingredients.

ShopRite puts Rao's on sale every month or 6 weeks for $4 or $5. Even at full price it is worth every cent.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:11:03 GMT

On 1/16/2014 LipstickDiva said:
On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
On 1/16/2014 LipstickDiva said:
On 1/16/2014 terrier2 said:
Jill has expensive taste...Rao's sauce is almost $7 a jar here in Buffalo!

I've honestly never heard of it. But I don't think she has to worry about the cost. LOL

It's from a famous Italian restaurant in NYC.

Wegmans sells it.

Aah. We don't have a Wegmans. I've never seen it at my grocery store. Actually I've never heard of any of the three sauces she recommends. LOL

They are all at Wegmans..I bet she shops at the one near the studios.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

terrier3 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:12:19 GMT

On 1/16/2014 lulu2 said:
On 1/16/2014 vera11 said:
speaking of Raos..i used to live close to this nyc restaurant many yrs ago..buy the sauce when its on sale..it beats them all..the label lists only the best ingredients.

ShopRite puts Rao's on sale every month or 6 weeks for $4 or $5. Even at full price it is worth every cent.

If I try it, I think I wouldn't want to mix it up with so many ingredients...I'd like to try it on its own.

Re: Jill's Cheesy Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

RocketMom — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:21:02 GMT

Sounds really tasty! Thanks for sharing. I bet it would be great for a Super Bowl party.