Description
Crock Pot Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy, family-friendly pasta dish made right in your slow cooker—no boiling of noodles required! It features layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and plenty of melted mozzarella. This hands-off recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a crowd.
Servings
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2–4 hours (depending on slow cooker)
Total Time: ~4 hours
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Sauce Layers
1 (16 oz / 450 g) box uncooked ziti or penne
4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage or ground beef, cooked and drained (optional)
1 cup water or broth (helps hydrate the pasta)
Cheese Layer
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Optional Add-Ins
1 cup fresh spinach
1 small onion, sautéed
1 cup mushrooms, sautéed
Instructions
1. Make the Ricotta Mixture
In a bowl, mix:
Ricotta
½ cup mozzarella
Parmesan
Egg
Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper
Set aside.
2. Prepare Meat (Optional)
Cook sausage or ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Assemble in the Crock Pot
Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Layer 1:
1 cup marinara sauce
Layer 2:
Half of the uncooked ziti
Layer 3:
Half of the remaining marinara
Half the cooked meat (if using)
Layer 4:
Dollops of half the ricotta mixture
Repeat layers.
Top Layer:
Remaining marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Pour 1 cup water/broth around the edges to help pasta cook.
4. Cook
LOW: 3–4 hours
HIGH: 2–2.5 hours
Cook until pasta is tender but not mushy.
5. Final Melt
During the last 10–15 minutes, sprinkle extra mozzarella on top and let melt.
Notes
For firmer pasta, check at the 2.5–3 hour mark on LOW.
Avoid over-stirring once pasta cooks—this can cause it to break apart.
Every slow cooker heats differently; adjust cook time as needed.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Don’t pre-boil the pasta — the slow cooker does the work.
Add a splash of broth if pasta looks dry before it’s done.
Use shredded block mozzarella instead of pre-shredded for better melting.
Swap ricotta for cottage cheese if preferred.
Add veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
For a meatless version, simply omit the meat.
Variations
1. Vegetarian
Use marinara + veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
2. Spicy
Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage.
3. Three-Cheese Version
Add provolone and extra Parmesan.
4. Alfredo Ziti
Replace half the marinara with Alfredo sauce for a creamy version.
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving, 8 servings)
(Values vary by ingredients used)
Calories: ~460
Carbs: ~55 g
Protein: ~25 g
Fat: ~16 g
Fiber: ~3 g
Sodium: ~930 mg
Health Benefits
Provides protein (meat & cheese) for muscle health.
Contains calcium from ricotta and mozzarella.
Additions like spinach or mushrooms supply fiber, iron, B-vitamins, and antioxidants.
Slow cooker reduces need for oils or frying, making it lighter than traditional baked ziti.
Q&A
Q: Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, but check early—GF pasta cooks faster and may soften quickly.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble in the Crock Pot insert, refrigerate up to 24 hours, and cook the next day.
Q: Can this be frozen?
Freeze after cooking for best texture. Store airtight for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
Only if you have an 8-quart crock pot. Otherwise, it may cook unevenly.
Q: Why add water/broth?
It ensures the pasta hydrates evenly and doesn’t dry out.