Save 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.
Slow cooker baked ziti became a weeknight staple in my kitchen when I needed a hands-off meal that would please the entire family. It delivers all the flavors of classic baked pasta with far less fuss and cleanup.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 450 g (1 lb) uncooked ziti or penne pasta
- Sauce: 800 ml (about 28 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- Ricotta cheese: 375 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese: 225 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese: 60 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- Water: 470 ml (2 cups) water
Instructions
- Prepare the cooker:
- Lightly grease the inside of a large slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little olive oil.
- Layer pasta:
- Pour half of the uncooked ziti into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add sauce:
- Spoon half of the marinara sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Add 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 This slow cooker ziti won over even the picky eaters at our table and makes a satisfying meal for busy days, especially when served with a crisp salad and garlic bread.
Required Tools
You need a slow cooker (5 quart or larger), measuring cups and spoons, and a large spoon or spatula for layering and serving the ziti.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains wheat in the pasta and milk in the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Always check product labels for cross-contamination risks.
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains about 420 calories, 14 g total fat, 54 g carbohydrates, and 20 g protein, making it both hearty and satisfying.
Save This hands-off slow cooker baked ziti is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Save any leftovers—they reheat beautifully!
Recipe FAQ Section
- → Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, penne or rigatoni work well alongside ziti to absorb the sauce and melt cheese evenly.
- → How do I prevent the dish from becoming too watery?
Using the recommended water amount and layering ingredients carefully helps maintain a creamy rather than watery texture.
- → Can I add protein to this dish?
Adding cooked ground beef, sausage, or sautéed vegetables before layering boosts flavor and protein content.
- → Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Simply substitute regular pasta with gluten-free varieties to accommodate dietary needs.
- → How long should the dish rest after cooking?
Allowing the ziti to rest uncovered for 10 minutes lets flavors meld and cheese set slightly for easier serving.
- → Can fresh herbs be added?
Yes, stirring in chopped basil or parsley just before serving adds freshness and aroma.