Description
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a comforting and easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights. This hands-off recipe layers pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella for a hearty, cheesy dinner that’s ready when you are. Ideal for families and gatherings, it requires minimal prep with satisfying flavors and a cozy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb dry ziti pasta
- 4 cups Italian marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil blend)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheeses
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese (preferably whole milk)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat (Optional)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce and pasta: Brown the ground beef or sausage in a pan with chopped onion and minced garlic until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to make a rich, flavorful meat sauce. Meanwhile, partially cook the ziti pasta just until it starts to soften but remains firm (al dente), as it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
- Layer ingredients in the slow cooker: Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta, then evenly scatter spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over it. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the cheese is melted and bubbly, the sauce is hot and thickened. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to retain heat and moisture.
- Rest and serve: Let the baked ziti rest uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes after cooking to allow it to firm up for easier serving and improved texture.
Notes
- Par-cook the pasta to avoid sogginess from overcooking in the slow cooker.
- Use whole milk ricotta for creamier texture and better flavor.
- Layer ingredients evenly to ensure each bite has a balanced combination of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
- Rest the dish after cooking to help it hold shape and improve plating.
- Keep the slow cooker lid closed during cooking to maintain heat and reduce cook time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: slow cooker baked ziti, baked pasta, slow cooker dinner, cheesy pasta, easy comfort food, Italian slow cooker recipe
