Here’s a Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe that’s creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a hands-off meal.
🍝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta (uncooked)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup water or beef/chicken broth
🥘 Instructions
1. Brown the meat
- In a skillet, cook ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Mix the sauce
- In a large bowl, combine marinara, diced tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Assemble in the slow cooker
- Add uncooked ziti to the slow cooker.
- Pour the meat and sauce mixture over the pasta.
- Add water or broth and stir to combine.
- Dollop ricotta cheese evenly on top.
4. Cook
- Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 1 1/2–2 hours, until pasta is tender.
- Stir halfway through cooking if possible.
5. Add cheese
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover and cook another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve
- Let stand 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
💡 Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Ziti:
- Use uncooked pasta—it absorbs the flavors as it cooks.
- If sauce is too thick, add a bit more water or broth.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
If you want, I can give you a cheesy, extra-creamy version with layers of ricotta and mozzarella that tastes like it was baked in the oven.
Do you want me to share that version?
