This easy-to-make dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s made with simple ingredients and the cheesy goodness of this dish will be sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family. Best of all, there’s just one pot!
Table of contents
❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s easy to prepare. Really! Just mix all the ingredients together in a slow cooker and let it cook while you go about your day
- Picky family approved. Simple flavors and plenty of melty cheese make this a crowd favorite.
- Budget-friendly. A whole meal that’s super affordable.
🧂 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy weeknight dinner:
- ziti pasta, uncooked
- marinara, store-bought or homemade
- diced tomatoes
- Italian seasoning
- grated parmesan cheese
- shredded mozzarella
- ricotta cheese
🥣 Equipment
This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
slow cooker (5 quarts or larger)
🍴Instructions
Step One: mix
To a 5 quart or larger slow cooker, add the uncooked pasta, marinara, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Mix until everything is fully incorporated. If you’d like to add cooked meat, do so now.
Step Two: layer
Dot the ricotta cheese on top. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture.
Step three
Cook for 2-3 hours on HIGH or until the pasta is done cooking. Al dente means that the pasta is cooked but still has a little bite to it.
🥫 Storage instructions
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave.
🔍 FAQs
Will uncooked pasta get soft in the slow cooker?
It sure will! Just be sure to test it every so often because the time will vary based on your slow cooker.
I don’t like to freeze any cooked pasta, personally. This is so easy to make there’s no need to do so anyway.
Yes! You can add raw ground beef as long as it’s 85% to 90% lean. Just stir it well to break it up before cooking. You can also add cooked, crumbled ground beef or sausage on top of the sauced pasta in step one.
👩🏻🍳 Expert tips
If you don’t have an Italian seasoning blend, use a combination of oregano, thyme, and basil instead.
For more flavor, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and/or crushed red pepper
Penne or rigatoni pasta can be used in place of the ziti.
📘 Related Recipes
🍽 Serve it with
- Super soft Italian bread topped with sesame seeds is perfect with this.
- A simple green salad completes the meal.
- Red wine is extra special in this berry sangria recipe
- And a bowl of homemade strawberry ice cream is the perfect dessert.
📖 Here’s the recipe
Easy Crockpot Baked Ziti
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
- To a 5 quart or larger slow cooker, add the uncooked pasta, marinara, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan and 1 cup of mozzarella. Mix until everything is fully incorporated. Dot in the ricotta cheese and lighty mix it in. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or until the pasta is al dente or cooked to your liking.
- Serve immediately and garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Enjoy!
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.
aw thank you, nicole! i’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it. you’ll love the potato soup!