Print

The Ultimate Hands-Off Crockpot Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses

A hearty, layered slice of crockpot baked ziti topped with melted cheese and herbs, served on a white plate.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make classic baked ziti without turning on your oven. This easy Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe delivers cheesy, layered pasta comfort food using simple steps for a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta, uncooked
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (high quality recommended)
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease the inside of a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined. This is your cheese mixture.
  3. In the slow cooker insert, spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom.
  4. Add half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
  5. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta layer, spreading gently.
  6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  7. Pour another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese.
  8. Repeat the layers: remaining ziti, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining mozzarella cheese, and top with the remaining marinara sauce.
  9. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours. Check the pasta at the lower end of the time range. The pasta should be tender but not mushy.
  10. Once cooked, sprinkle the top with extra Parmesan cheese. Let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To prevent mushy pasta, do not overcook. Check the texture after 3 hours on Low. The pasta absorbs liquid slowly.
  • Use a good quality, thick marinara sauce for the best flavor in this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe.
  • If your slow cooker is smaller than 5 quarts, you may need to slightly reduce the pasta amount.
  • This recipe works well as a Make Ahead Crock Pot Meal; assemble everything the night before and place it in the cooker in the morning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/crockpot-baked-ziti-recipe/