Save to Pinterest A hearty, comforting pasta dish featuring tender ziti, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted cheese—all made effortlessly in the slow cooker with just five simple ingredients.
I remember the first time I tried slow cooker baked ziti—it was on a busy weeknight and I was amazed at how effortless it was to create a cozy family dinner with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 450 g (1 lb) uncooked ziti or penne pasta
- Sauce: 800 ml (about 28 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- Cheeses: 375 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese, 225 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, 60 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- Water: 470 ml (2 cups) water
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker:
- Lightly grease the inside of a large slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little olive oil.
- Layer the pasta:
- Pour half of the uncooked ziti into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the sauce:
- Spoon half of the marinara sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Spread the ricotta:
- Dollop and gently spread half of the ricotta cheese over the sauce.
- Add cheeses:
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Repeat layers:
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Add water:
- Pour the water evenly over the entire mixture.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest:
- Turn off the slow cooker and let the ziti rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving.
Save to Pinterest Our family loves to gather around the table for this warm, cheesy ziti. It is always a hit on chilly nights and brings back memories of Italian-American comfort food.
Required Tools
Slow cooker (5 quart or larger), measuring cups and spoons, large spoon for layering.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat and milk; check all labels to avoid cross-contamination and ensure allergy safety.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 420, Total Fat 14 g, Carbohydrates 54 g, Protein 20 g.
Save to Pinterest Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully for another easy dinner.
Ask About This Recipe
- → Can I use a different pasta type?
Yes, penne or similar tubular pastas work well due to their shape and cooking time compatibility.
- → How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
Greasing the slow cooker and layering ingredients evenly helps prevent sticking during slow cooking.
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can assemble all ingredients in the slow cooker a few hours in advance and refrigerate until cooking.
- → What cheese substitutions work well?
Mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan create creaminess and flavor, but provolone or fontina can be tasty alternatives.
- → Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Using gluten-free pasta and a suitable marinara sauce allows for a gluten-free version without loss of flavor.