If you love classic baked ziti but don’t always have time to cook, Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is the answer. This dish combines hearty pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese—all easily prepared in your slow cooker. It’s a family-friendly recipe that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Why Choose Slow Cooker Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is traditionally made in the oven, but using a slow cooker has several advantages:
- Hands-off cooking: Simply layer the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.
- Perfect for busy days: Start it in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ll have a hot, comforting meal ready.
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 box (16 oz) ziti or penne pasta (uncooked)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage (cooked and drained)
- 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
- Cook the meat: Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet, then drain excess fat.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
- Layer in the slow cooker:
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
- Add uncooked pasta.
- Spread some of the cheese mixture.
- Add cooked meat.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until pasta is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and enjoy warm.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t overcook. Check after 4 hours on low to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for an extra nutritional boost.
- Use no-boil pasta for the best texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor. It saves time, reduces dishwashing, and makes weeknight dinners stress-free. Pair it with garlic bread and a fresh salad, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal at home.
If you love classic baked ziti but don’t always have time to cook, Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is the answer. This dish combines the heartiness of pasta, the richness of marinara, and the gooey goodness of melted cheese—all made with the ease of your slow cooker. It’s a family-friendly recipe that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Why Choose Slow Cooker Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti is traditionally made in the oven, but using a slow cooker has several advantages:
- Hands-off cooking: Simply layer the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.
- Perfect for busy days: Start it in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ll have a hot, comforting meal ready.
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 box (16 oz) ziti or penne pasta (uncooked)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage (cooked and drained)
- 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
- Cook the meat: Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet, then drain excess fat.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
- Layer in the slow cooker:
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
- Add uncooked pasta.
- Spread some of the cheese mixture.
- Add cooked meat.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until pasta is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and enjoy warm.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t overcook. Check after 4 hours on low to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for an extra nutritional boost.
- Use no-boil pasta for the best texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor. It saves time, reduces dishwashing, and makes weeknight dinners stress-free. Pair it with garlic bread and a fresh salad, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal at home