Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

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🍝 Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

A simple, cheesy, family-friendly pasta dish made right in the slow cooker! Layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cook together for an easy comfort meal.

🕒 Time

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 2–3 hours (LOW)

  • Total Time: About 3 hours

🍽 Servings

Serves 6–8 people

🛒 Ingredients

  • 12 oz ziti or penne pasta (uncooked)

  • 24 oz marinara sauce (1 large jar)

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • Salt & black pepper to taste

  • Optional: ½ lb cooked ground beef or Italian sausage

  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or basil

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.

2️⃣ Layer the Ingredients

  • Spread 1 cup marinara on the bottom.

  • Add half of the uncooked pasta.

  • Spoon half of the ricotta over pasta.

  • Sprinkle some mozzarella and Parmesan.

  • Repeat layers.

3️⃣ Add Liquid

Pour remaining sauce and water/broth evenly over everything.
Make sure pasta is mostly covered with liquid.

4️⃣ Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, until pasta is tender.
Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy pasta.

5️⃣ Final Cheese Melt

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top during last 15 minutes.
Cover and allow cheese to melt.

6️⃣ Serve

Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil.

💡 Tips for Best Results

✔ Do not pre-cook pasta — it cooks in the slow cooker.
✔ Check at 2 hours — slow cookers vary.
✔ Add cooked meat for extra protein.
✔ For a crispy top, transfer to oven-safe dish and broil 3–5 minutes.
✔ Make ahead and refrigerate up to 3 days.

🥗 Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: 420–480

  • Protein: 18–22g

  • Fat: 18g

  • Carbohydrates: 45g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Calcium: 25% DV

(Varies depending on added meat and cheese amounts.)

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese works well as a substitute.

Q: Can I freeze baked ziti?
Yes. Cool completely, freeze up to 3 months.

Q: Can I cook on HIGH?
Yes, about 1½–2 hours, but watch carefully.

Q: Why is my pasta mushy?
It likely cooked too long. Check early and avoid stirring too much.

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