·

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Some crockpot recipes claim to be easy, but this one truly is. This slow cooker baked ziti only takes a few minutes to prepare (really!). Just layer the ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. For the best results, check the pasta periodically after 2 hours to make sure it’s perfectly al dente. Once of the easiest dinner recipes in the world.

Easy Crockpot Baked Ziti

Just a few minutes of mixing and layering is all it takes for this cheesy, delicious baked ziti. A fuss-free dinner the whole family loves
Print Recipe
close up view of baked ziti being scooped donut of slow cooker
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours
Total Time:3 hours 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti pasta (uncooked)
  • 48 ounces marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese

Instructions

  • Layer the pasta, tomatoes, and cheese. Add uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella to a 5-quart or larger slow cooker. Then, stir until everything is well mixed. After that, put small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese on top and gently mix it in. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture.
    uncooked pasta with sauce and parmesan mixed in.
  • Cook. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or until the pasta is just right for you. Check the pasta often because different machines may take different times.Serve as soon as it's done and add fresh parsley or basil if you like.
    finished dish with parsley on top.

Notes

Go for good quality marinara sauce and cheeses as they make a big difference in taste.
We don’t add extra salt because the parmesan and marinara sauce are already salty enough.
If your marinara sauce isn’t very flavorful, add half a teaspoon of salt at the start.
If you don’t have Italian seasoning blend, use a mix of oregano, thyme, and basil.
To enhance the flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder and/or crushed red pepper.
Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can be added just before serving for a fresh and bright flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1235mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1245IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 378mg | Iron: 3mg
Servings: 8
Calories: 452kcal
Author: Katie

More Tips:

Spread the ingredients evenly in the slow cooker to ensure consistent cooking. Stir gently if needed.

Make sure your slow cooker is at least 5 quarts or larger to allow the pasta to cook evenly.

Slow cookers vary, so check the pasta’s texture after 2 hours. Overcooked pasta can become mushy.

If the pasta seems dry halfway through cooking, add a bit more marinara or water to keep it moist.

Let the ziti sit for a few minutes after turning off the slow cooker. This helps the dish set and makes serving easier.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this with soft Italian bread, and Caesar salad for a complete meal.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Crockpot: A slow cooker of 5-quart or larger capacity is necessary for even cooking.

Pasta: Ziti pasta works well in the slow cooker and absorbs sauce effectively.

Ricotta cheese: This cheese contributes to a creamy texture. It can be found in the dairy section alongside other soft cheeses. Cottage cheese is a decent substitute.

ingredients in bowls lald out on counter.

Italian seasoning: You can create your own blend using oregano, basil, and thyme

Fresh parsley or basil: These optional fresh herbs provide a bright and fresh finish to the dish. They are typically available in the produce section.

Storage Instructions

When putting the baked ziti in the fridge, make sure it’s completely cooled down. Store it in a tightly sealed container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

This dish doesn’t freeze well because the pasta gets mushy when it thaws.

With minimal prep and a few key ingredients, you’ll have a comforting dinner ready in no time.

plate of finished ziti with fork.
Click here to subscribe

By Katie Shaw

picture of smiling female

Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.

More About This Site

10 Comments

  1. Hi Katie – Love your blog!! When I try to open your emails now they say that your site
    is not secure and that I shouldn’t open the email links. Didn’t see another way to contact you other than this. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hey Amy, thank you so much for your kind words and for letting me know. I’m sorry about the email issue, I’ll look into it right away. I really appreciate your patience!

      Reply

    1. hey kate! it will be tight and the problem i see is that the big crockpots are deeper too so i don’t know if the layers will be quite right. i’d multiply by 1.5 instead. 🙂 you can do that by changing the number of servings at the bottom of the recipe card.

      Reply

  4. How many people will this serve? I’m thinking of making it for our “group” camping trip. There will be 8 hearty eaters. Thanks

    Reply

  5. Hi Katie. I made this when my sister-in-law was in town recently. My husband has a very critical pallet and both of them gave this rave reviews! I added ground beef to the sauce as well just for some protein. Very tasty and easy to make. Thanks for all the great recipes. I work full time and it’s always a challenge to get healthy and tasty meals on the table. My son also has dietary restrictions so that makes things even more “fun” at dinner time. 😉 I look forward to trying the potato soup crockpot recipe next for my husband and me.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating