Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)
Tender ziti with Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella in marinara—effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
→ Pasta
02 - 1 lb dry ziti pasta
→ Dairy
03 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables & Sauces
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 48 oz marinara sauce (2 jars)
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Add crumbled Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half the shredded mozzarella (1 cup), grated Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Coat the slow cooker insert thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange half the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce base. Top with half the browned sausage mixture, followed by half the ricotta cheese mixture. Pour approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce over the layers.
06 - Repeat layers with remaining uncooked pasta, sausage, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce. Ensure all pasta pieces are covered with sauce for proper cooking.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
08 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove lid and let the baked ziti rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to allow layers to set. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Set it and forget it freedom lets you tackle after school chaos or weekend errands while dinner cooks itself
- The uncooked pasta absorbs all those sauce flavors directly, making every bite incredibly tender and infused
02 -
- Skip the temptation to add extra liquid—the sauce and pasta create exactly the right consistency during cooking
- Every slow cooker runs differently, so start checking at the 3 hour mark to avoid mushy pasta
03 -
- Mix an egg into the ricotta layer for extra creaminess and binding
- Line your slow cooker with a removable liner for virtually effortless cleanup