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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Crock-Pot Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses

    UPDATED Nov 30, 2021 · PUBLISHED Oct 2, 2017 BY Marjory Pilley · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Jump to Recipe
    Easy Crock-Pot Baked Ziti Pin

    Crock-Pot Baked Ziti is cooked 100% in a slow cooker. The title says "baked." But, there is no baking involved in this easy recipe.

    You don't even have to boil the noodles on a stovetop first!

    Serving of crock-pot baked ziti with ricotta in front of a slow cooker.

    I had no intention of deceiving anyone.

    There just isn't a better way to describe baked ziti made in a crock-pot. It tastes just like the traditional baked version and looks like it came out of the oven too. Use the same process to make Crock-Pot Vegetable Lasagna!

    It's just a lot easier to make this comfort pasta dish with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses in a slower cooker. There are fewer dishes to clean up too!

    We used no meat so this version is vegetarian. But, we'll show you where to add some.

    There's a place for pasta dishes like stovetop Pasta with Olive Oil, Garlic and Mushrooms. But, it's hard to resist the appeal of a meal where the slow cooker does all the work and it tastes so good!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Directions
    • Storage
    • What to Serve With Baked Ziti
    • More Crock-Pot Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make slow cooker baked ziti:

    • Ziti Noodles or Penne Pasta
    • 2 jars of pasta sauce - choose the one you love!
    • Ricotta cheese
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Mozzarella cheese
    • Egg
    • Salt & Pepper
    • Basil - fresh is best, but dried is nice too.

    Use full or low-fat cheeses depending upon your preference.

    Optional: Cooked ground beef or sausage can be added to this recipe if desired.

    Step-by-Step Directions

    Here's how to make crock-pot baked ziti with detailed instructions below:

    Collage of 4 pictures showing the layering steps to make crock-pot baked ziti.

    Tip: Coat the inside of the crock with cooking spray. (There is very little mess if you do this...really!) A liner does not work well in this recipe.

    1. Rinse the noodles in a colander and set them aside. (This step softens the noodles.) Do not cook the noodles first.

    2. Make the cheese mixture by combining ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. (A little minced garlic would be nice too.) Divide the cheese mixture in half. (Just take a spoon, eyeball it, and draw a line down the middle of the bowl.)

    3. Layer the ingredients in the crock-pot as follows:

    • Place half the noodles (about 2-½ cups) in the bottom of the crock. Pour 2 cups of pasta sauce over the noodles. (FYI - A 24-ounce jar has 2 ½ cups of sauce.) I stirred the pasta and sauce together to coat the noodles and then used a spoon to make sure the noodles were in an even layer.
    • Variation: If you want meat or vegetables in your baked ziti, add them here. Sprinkle cooked ground beef or sliced vegetables, like mushrooms and spinach, to make the next layer.
    • Drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the top of the current layer. Use half of the cheese mixture for this layer.
    • Use the back of a spoon (or your fingers) to gently press the mixture into an even layer.
    • Repeat the steps above to make the second layer.
    • Pour the remaining cup of pasta sauce over the top and use a spoon to spread it evenly.

    4. Cook the ziti on low for 4-6 hours or on high for about 2 hours. To test if it is done, use a fork to dig out a few noodles to taste. The exact time will vary depending upon your slow cooker. Keep a close eye on it the first time you make it.

    5. Remove the lid and sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top and garnish with basil. Turn off the slow cooker. Put the lid back on and allow the cheese to melt. It takes about 10 minutes.

    Overhead shot of baked ziti in a crock-pot with cheese and basil on top.

    Serve crock-pot ziti right out of the slow cooker! The longer it sets, the easier it is to dish out in nice tall layers. But, it's equally delicious if you spoon it out right away.

    Storage

    Leftover baked ziti is perfect for enjoying the next day or freezing for later. I like to cut it into single servings, but it can be stored uncut as well.

    • Storage. Store cooked pasta in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
    • To Reheat. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat servings in the microwave or the oven at 350 °F.
    Serving of crock-pot ziti on a plate with bread on the side.

    This recipe was a bit of a reminder for me that a slow cooker can be used for many, many things...things you may have read about but not tried before. Check out all of our crock-pot recipes.

    If your slow cooker is collecting dust from limited use (as mine was,) I suggest you drag it out and make crock-pot baked ziti recipe right away! You won't be disappointed.

    What to Serve With Baked Ziti

    Here are some fantastic side dishes to round out the meal. Add a little garlic bread too!

    • Crispy Roasted Green Beans {Air Fryer or Oven}
    • Roasted Grape Tomato Caprese Salad
    • Sweet Red Wine Vinegar Dressing - Easy Recipe!
    Serving of slow cooker baked ziti with crock-pot behind it.

    More Crock-Pot Recipes

    Let the slow cooker do all the work for these comfort dishes too!

    • Slow Cooker Beef Shoulder Roast
    • Crock-Pot Vegetable Lasagna
    • Slow Cooker Chicken and Stewed Tomatoes

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📋 Recipe

    Serving of crock-pot baked ziti with ricotta in front of a slow cooker.

    Crock-Pot Baked Ziti

    You won't believe how easy it is to make crock-pot baked ziti with three cheeses. You don't need to boil the noodles. Great for entertaining!
    4.72 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 423kcal
    Author: Marjory Pilley

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker - Programmable

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ziti noodles uncooked, or penne pasta
    • 15 ounce low-fat ricotta cheese
    • 1 egg
    • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese divided
    • 1 ½ cup low-fat mozzarella cheese divided
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 48 ounces pasta sauce two 24 ounce jars
    • 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves 7-8 leaves sliced thin or ½ teaspoon dried basil

    Instructions

    • Coat the inside of the crock pot with cooking spray. 
    • Rinse noodles in a colander and set aside. Do not boil.
    • Combine ricotta, egg, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper in a bowl and set aside.
    • Place half of the noodles (about 2½ cups) in the crock-pot.
    • Pour 2 cups of pasta sauce over the noodles and use a spoon to make sure the noodles and pasta sauce are evenly layered in the bottom of the crock.
    • Layer half of the ricotta mixture in the crock-pot by dropping small spoonfuls and then using the back of a spoon or fingers to create an even layer of cheese.
    • Repeat the noodle, pasta sauce and cheese layers.
    • Evenly pour the remaining pasta sauce (about 1 cup) over the top.
    • Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.
    • Remove lid and sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top. Replace lid and allow to sit for about 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.
    • Garnish with basil and serve from crock pot.

    Notes

    There are more tips and step-by-step pictures above!
    Optional: Add a layer of cooked ground beef, sausage, or vegetables, such as mushrooms and spinach after the sauce layer and before the cheese layer.
    Storage
    • Storage. Store cooked pasta in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
    • To Reheat. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat servings in the microwave or the oven at 350 °F.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1395mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1170IU | Vitamin C: 11.9mg | Calcium: 458mg | Iron: 2.9mg
    Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

    This recipe was originally published on 9/17/13 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce Recipe
    • Scallops Asparagus Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Baked Ravioli Casserole Recipe {Mexican, Vegetarian}
    • Vegetarian Pasta Fagioli Recipe
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig

      September 17, 2013 at 8:49 am

      Love this, such a perfect winter meal. And so easy.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 17, 2013 at 11:41 am

        Thanks Cathy! I'm thinking this will come in handy when the holiday season starts.

        Reply
    2. Laura

      September 17, 2013 at 4:31 pm

      Hi there,

      What size crock pot did you use to make this? Mine is 3 1/2 quarts. Looks yummy!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 17, 2013 at 4:51 pm

        Hi! It's a 5 quart model and as you can see it stacked up pretty high! You might want to half the recipe for a smaller cooker.

        Reply
    3. Burgandy

      September 17, 2013 at 11:18 pm

      I was wondering about cooking time... If I cooked it low for longer than your suggested 4-5 hours, will the pasta suck up all the moisture and make a dry ziti?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 18, 2013 at 7:13 am

        Hi there! I haven't tried it for a longer period of time. But, I'm afraid that would happen and the edges would get very hard and crusty.

        Reply
      • Kris Cannon

        April 03, 2014 at 7:07 am

        I was looking at this recipe and saw your comment. I do a crockpot lasagna and it will definitely dry out of cooked too long. Check it at 4 hours.

        Reply
    4. Christine (Cook the Story)

      September 18, 2013 at 9:22 am

      This looks amazing. But I'm going to have to try it to believe it. I don't know why but I am forever skeptical of the slow cooker. I'm putting it on my meal plan for next week (and am going to feature this as one of my Easy Dinners to the Rescue that I do everyday at 1pm, next week too). I can't wait to find out if it works for me. I would love a meal as easy and delicious as this!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 18, 2013 at 9:37 am

        Thanks Christine! I hope you are as pleasantly surprised as I was!

        Reply
    5. Erika

      September 21, 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Are the noodles cooked and then rinsed or are the just rinsed?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 21, 2013 at 9:21 pm

        Hi! Just rinsed. That's it!

        Reply
    6. Barb S

      September 22, 2013 at 8:08 am

      I had no idea that this could be done! What a great way to serve pasta for a party.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 22, 2013 at 8:14 am

        I think this is going to be real time-saver for the holidays this year. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Rachel

      September 25, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      This might seem like a dumb question, but do you use shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 25, 2013 at 3:04 pm

        Yes, I did! Thanks for reading!!

        Reply
    8. lashawnda

      October 19, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      Hi!!! Can I substitute shredded chicken for the ground beef..

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 19, 2013 at 9:35 pm

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    9. Rebecca

      October 27, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      Any chance this could be sort of half-cooked , refrigerated overnight, and then finished off on high for 3 hours the next day? I need a dish for a potluck lunch at work, won't have time to assemble un the a.m.and won't have more than 3 hours to let it cook once I get it to work.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 28, 2013 at 9:22 am

        Hi and thanks for your question! I haven't tried cooking this on high...but, I'm afraid it would burn. It might be better to just make it in advance. I'd love to know how it turns out. 🙂

        Reply
    10. julie foster

      January 10, 2014 at 8:49 am

      We are going to canada and have to feed 60 family and playes...Could you possibly change the serving size for 50-60 people!! I would really appreciate it! Thank you

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 10, 2014 at 11:15 am

        Yikes! Now, that's a large crowd. You're going to need lot of crock pots! I think you'd be better off with really big oven. Good luck.

        Reply
    11. Jessica

      January 13, 2014 at 8:06 am

      Hi just wondering if you use ground beef should I cook it first before adding it to the crock pot?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 13, 2014 at 8:22 am

        Thanks for stopping by! Yes, cook the ground beef before adding it to the crock pot!

        Reply
    12. Jeff

      January 21, 2014 at 8:11 am

      Thank you so much for the wonderfully easy and tasty recipe Marjory! It was so delightful that I had to post about my experience making it with my own not so well taken pictures. 🙂 I linked back to you about a bazillion times, okay at least 3 times in my post because you deserve the kudos. Thanks again! Cheers!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 21, 2014 at 8:25 am

        Thanks for sharing Jeff! I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    13. Tina

      January 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      I am working on a cooking demo for Senior Citizens and the theme is Crock pot meals and I cant wait to try this idea and possibly show it to them! Great idea....

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 26, 2014 at 9:58 am

        Thanks Tina! I'm sure they will love it.

        Reply
    14. Karla E.

      February 09, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      I tried this recipe for Sunday's dinner today....and it was wonderful!!!!...Loved it!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        February 10, 2014 at 2:16 pm

        Thanks so much for your feedback. I am thrilled that you enjoyed it. It's one of my favorites!

        Reply
    15. Susan

      February 10, 2014 at 10:54 pm

      Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed it! For a recommendation to others, be sure to check it at 4 hours, as suggested. I ended up cooking it for 5 hours and that was too long. It wasn't overly dry, but the noodles were far overcooked. I might even skip the noodle rinse next time, saving even more dishes 🙂 I added a little garlic to the ricotta mixture and it was good. Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        February 11, 2014 at 12:37 pm

        Thank you so much for stopping by and providing your feedback! I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    16. Debbie

      February 16, 2014 at 5:53 am

      Could you do this in a roaster pan and double recipe ?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        February 16, 2014 at 8:07 am

        I have never tried it in a roaster pan so I really can't say for sure. You should be able to double the recipe with a larger crock pot though. I'd love to hear about your experience with different cooking methods. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    17. Heather

      April 02, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      I didn't have any ricota, so I substituted with feta...absolutely amazing. I'm currently sharing your recipe with everyone at work.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        April 03, 2014 at 7:38 am

        Wow! I've never tried feta. I bet that is delicious, speaking as a big feta fan! Thanks for commenting.

        Reply
    18. Julie

      May 06, 2014 at 5:50 pm

      I used this as a base for my dinner last night. I added Trader Joe's frozen turkey meatballs, some slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, and sliced olives. I halved the recipe and everything came together beautifully in less than 4 hours!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 07, 2014 at 5:06 pm

        Awesome! Sounds like a delish version I'll be trying very soon.

        Reply
    19. Ela

      May 07, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      Can you cook it on high for 2 hours?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 08, 2014 at 9:10 am

        Hi! I've never tried it...but, I'm afraid the noodles might get a bit mushy. If you give it a try, I'd love to know how it turns out.

        Reply
    20. Regina

      May 13, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Good taste, but pasta was a bit mushy for me...kids loved it though.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 13, 2014 at 7:47 pm

        I'm glad the kids liked it. But, sorry your pasta was mushy...I'd love to know what happened. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    21. Jody

      June 17, 2014 at 11:25 pm

      This looks great! My hubby doesn't eat eggs... do you think the recipe would work without the egg whites? Or do you have any alternative ideas? Thank you Marjory!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        June 18, 2014 at 6:50 am

        I made this just a few weeks ago without egg (my daughter is allergic to eggs) and it was fine. 🙂 It was a tad less firm, but still held together nicely because of all the cheese and was delish!

        Reply
      • Deborah

        December 16, 2017 at 8:11 am

        Hi, I have the ingredients but you show 1 egg and then to us egg whites. So more than 1 egg to get the plural of egg whites? Or just one egg? I was making this for today too.....

        Reply
        • Marjory

          December 18, 2017 at 9:34 am

          Hi! 2 egg whites or 1 egg. Sorry for any confusion! It will work out either way!

          Reply
    22. Amy Greenberg

      June 26, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      I'd like to make this for the 4th of July for 16 people. I have a big oval crockpot, I think about a 6 quart. Could I double this and still have it fit and cook okay in the same amount of time as if it were a single recipe? I don't do a lot of crockpot cooking so I'm not sure about the whole doubling thing. Any help and/or tips are much appreciated!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        June 26, 2014 at 6:49 pm

        Hi! You should be able to double the recipe in a bigger crock pot. Mine was round, but it was 5 quarts. Try to leave at least an inch of room at the top. Thanks for your question and good luck!

        Reply
    23. kim

      July 21, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Do you think spaghetti noodles would work just the same? or would it take less time? It's the thin spaghetti....whole wheat.....would love to try this tonight!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        July 21, 2014 at 1:35 pm

        Hi! Spaghetti definitely works in the crock pot the same way. Because you are using thin noodles, it will take less time...I'm just not sure how long. I would check it after two hours. I'd love to know how it turns out! Thanks for reading.

        Reply
    24. Smcbride

      July 31, 2014 at 11:55 pm

      I've never tried pasta in a crock pot before but now I'm a believer. I followed everything except had to use cottage cheese instead if ricotta and it turned out great. Everyone loved it. Oh, I should note, mine cooked in 3.5 hours on low (set at 4 hours). Thanks for the new idea!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        August 01, 2014 at 9:46 am

        Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    25. mary ann parsley

      October 09, 2014 at 8:17 am

      How many calories

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 09, 2014 at 1:42 pm

        Hi! Unfortunately I do not have the calorie count for recipes at this time. You should be ale to get an estimate by entering the data into an app like My Fitness Pal though.

        Reply
    26. Melissa

      October 23, 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Quick question - a regular ziti recipe calls for whole eggs, any reason other than calorie concerns for only using egg whites? I apologize if someone has already asked this, I scanned the comments and didn't see anything mentioning it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 23, 2014 at 1:36 pm

        Hi! You can use a whole egg in place of the egg whites. I've actually done it fairly successfully with no egg for someone who was allergic to egg. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    27. Karen

      October 29, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      could you please tell me how many would this feed about? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 29, 2014 at 8:17 pm

        Hi! The yield is about 8 servings.

        Reply
    28. cecilia

      November 01, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      where can I purchase a smaller crock pot for one person

      Reply
      • Marjory

        November 02, 2014 at 8:45 am

        You should be able to find them with the larger-sized crock pots and your best bet will be places that sell locks of small appliances and cookware. Also, they seem to be eaiser to find at the holidays. Good luck!

        Reply
      • Kristy

        November 21, 2014 at 7:58 am

        I just purchased a 2 quart Crock Pot at Target for $10. And now you can order online and pick up in store if you want!

        Reply
    29. Adam D

      November 16, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      I came across this recipe yesterday when I forgot to pull the pork out to defrost and I am so glad I did. I always baked my ziti before and didn't think it could work in the crock pot and I was wrong. It was firm and cooked just right and in my opinion even better than baked ziti! I followed the recipe ingredient by ingredient and it was absolutely delicious. I might add ground beef next time but I'll definitely be making this again!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        November 16, 2014 at 4:19 pm

        Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm so glad you liked it. 🙂 (My hubby loves it with beef!)

        Reply
    30. Mar

      December 11, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      4 stars
      I made this for the first time today - DELICIOUS. It was for a work luncheon pot-luck, so I risked it and cooked it for 3 hours on high - and it was perfectly done. I plugged it in at 8 a.m. , added the cheese on top at 10:50 and was ready for the lunch at 11:00. Many compliments, and a nearly empty crockpot!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        December 11, 2014 at 2:08 pm

        Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    31. Susanna

      March 07, 2015 at 11:42 am

      Do you think this would work the same with gluten free pasta? I am going to try it!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 09, 2015 at 10:15 am

        I've never tried it...but, would love to know how it turns out!!

        Reply
    32. Kim Beaulieu

      March 11, 2015 at 3:10 am

      I just love recipes like this. I particularly love that you made it in the crock pot. Easy peasy and delicious.

      Reply
    33. shannon

      March 24, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      just ate this for dinner and it is now in a dead tie for first place in the family crockpot recipe rotation. my toddlers love it! which is not easy to do. thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 25, 2015 at 7:50 am

        I'm so glad they (and you) liked it!

        Reply
    34. Angela Clouse

      June 07, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Will this work if baked in the oven, ?? And for how long...

      Reply
      • Marjory

        June 10, 2015 at 9:51 am

        You can make this recipe in the oven. I cook the noodles first. (But, if they are covered with plenty of sauce, they should cook in the oven.) Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 30-40 minutes.

        Reply
    35. sherry

      July 04, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      I made this it was good except my noodles turned mushy what can I do to change this?

      Reply
      • Marjory

        July 05, 2015 at 1:11 pm

        Hi! Thanks for your commment! It's hard to diagnose what might have happened with limited information. But, be sure to use regular noodles in the recipe (not the ones designed to be no-cook.) Also, you may want to adjust the time cooked down a bit. I hope that helps!

        Reply
    36. Ari

      August 11, 2015 at 12:48 pm

      Do you cook the noodles before they go in the crock pot.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        August 11, 2015 at 12:53 pm

        No!!! That's one of the great things about this recipe!

        Reply
    37. Betsy @ Desserts Required

      October 17, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      LOVE the ease of this recipe. I can understand why you kept the word, 'Baked' in the title!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 18, 2015 at 12:18 pm

        Thanks Betsy!

        Reply
    38. Jai

      October 20, 2015 at 11:24 am

      I'd love to bring this to a potluck luncheon at work. Can I cook it the night before and reheat in the crockpot. If so, what would be your recommended times for cooking and reheating? Thanks

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 20, 2015 at 7:33 pm

        I'm wondering if you might want to assemble the night before and then take to work and cook. I'm really not sure what the correct timing would be for reheating or if that might end up overcooking the dish.

        Reply
        • Jai

          October 26, 2015 at 8:56 am

          5 stars
          I took your advice and assembled it the night before. I saw that someone else on this thread cooked it at work on high for 3 hours so I followed that considering my arrival time. It turned out great!!!. I had to send it along while I attended another meeting. When I made it to the luncheon, there were only two servings left with several inquiring about your recipe. Thanks so much for sharing this. This will come in handy for other potlucks and family gatherings.

          Reply
    39. carole

      October 20, 2015 at 11:39 pm

      I'm THRILLED to have found this- thank you! Making it tonight and then will put in fridge for tmw night's dinner (I'm gone too long during the day), so tmw. morning, my dinner is DONE!
      It looks amazing and i can't wait for the fam to wake up to the incredible smell!! thanks again!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 21, 2015 at 9:25 am

        Thanks for commenting. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    40. Maria

      November 20, 2015 at 6:14 am

      Thanks so much! I planned on making Baked Ziti this Sunday for my grandchildren's Baptism celebration. I kept thinking how am I going to bake it while we are all at church. Now my worries are over. I will have to double the recipe. Will the same 3-4 hours cooking time on low still apply? I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        November 22, 2015 at 11:17 am

        Yes it should. Make sure your crock pot is big enough.

        Reply
    41. ccchristie

      January 02, 2016 at 11:53 am

      Do you use the cut ziti or long ziti. I noticed you use the word "noodles" which implies the long ziti, not the short pasta.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 03, 2016 at 8:23 am

        Hi! I used the noodles labeled "ziti" that are about an inch long. Thanks for your question!

        Reply
    42. MaryAnn

      January 08, 2016 at 9:45 am

      Will defintely be trying this out. I work a lot of nights and so does hubby, so that usually means our teenaged kids are fending for themselves which I hate. I will definitely be following you for more great recipes. I have two large crock pots, time to break them in! Thank you so much, look forward to more recipes ????????

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 09, 2016 at 8:58 am

        Enjoy! Check out the crock pot category for more recipes using your slow cooker!

        Reply
    43. Kelly

      April 28, 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Color me surprised. No one really eats ziti in my family but I just had to try this to see if it can be done and because it looked so good. As I was preparing it I thought, "there's no way this isn't going to be ziti soup". Not only was it not, it soaked up so much of the sauce I had to use more for when I served it. Overall I'd say it was quite good.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        May 04, 2016 at 7:50 pm

        Thanks so much for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    44. Crystal

      August 24, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      I accidently used marinara sauce in mine will it still taste the same

      Reply
      • Marjory

        August 27, 2016 at 1:07 pm

        I hope you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    45. Shari Peace

      October 17, 2016 at 9:59 pm

      I know you said spaghetti noodles would work but in less time. I want to use what I have in the cupboard and that is penne rigate noodles. Would you cook them for 4 hrs? Thanks and I'm going to try this recipe tomorrow:)

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 24, 2016 at 7:41 am

        Hi! I hope you enjoyed it. It should cook in the same amount of time!

        Reply
    46. Elizabeth

      August 20, 2017 at 8:16 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night for a family event and it turned out perfectly! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        August 20, 2017 at 11:09 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    47. Maggie

      August 27, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious. We serve e salad and garlic knots! A meal everyone enjoys.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        August 28, 2017 at 9:50 am

        Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    48. Callie

      December 17, 2017 at 7:14 pm

      4 stars
      Sorry but the sauce was absorbed, therefore not enough sauce and the noodles were mushy at 6 hours on low. The taste was great and we will still finish it off. I would suggest testing it at 4 hours and also having extra sauce set aside. Also, unsure about rinsing noodles, i think maybe just mixing the sauce into the noodles is enough.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        December 18, 2017 at 9:33 am

        Thanks for your feedback!

        Reply
    49. Julz

      March 19, 2018 at 12:55 am

      Can this be assembled ahead of time like the night before? My only concern is the noodles would get mushy.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 19, 2018 at 8:33 am

        Hi! I have not tried assembling this the night before with uncooked noodles. However, I have assembled it ahead of time with cooked noodles to make in the oven and this works fine. I have a feeling it *might* work. If you do try it, please let us know how it went! Thanks!

        Reply
    50. Anthony

      March 19, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe, tasted great. I used 2.5 jars of tomato sauce & Gardein veggie crumbles (my co-workers are vegetarian).

      At the 4 hour mark, the pasta was still not quite cooked (very al dente). I added the cheese topping & left it to cook for additional 30 mins, which resulted in the pasta being rather gummy/ a touch overcooked.

      NOTE to self: STOP the cooking after 4 hours on low & the pasta should be perfect!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 19, 2018 at 12:41 pm

        Thanks so much for your comment and tips. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    51. Melanie Johnson

      September 10, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Hi! This came out really good but we think it needed more noodles! I will add more next time! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 10, 2018 at 7:12 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed! Thanks for your feedback!

        Reply
    52. Holli

      September 13, 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Could I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese? Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe! I can’t wait to make it!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        September 14, 2018 at 8:46 am

        Yes! Cottage cheese would be wonderful in this baked ziti recipe.

        Reply
      • Joanne

        December 06, 2021 at 8:31 am

        Why would you want to use cottage cheese? It changes the taste and texture....no self-respecting Italian cook would ever use cottage cheese...don't do it!

        Reply
    53. Mags

      October 29, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      Making this for a work potluck tomorrow. I doubled the recipe with no egg in a large crock pot. set for 6 hours while I sleep, then a reheat tomorrow at work. Hope it comes out good. Didn't have time for a boil & bake with kids, homework, etc. Wish me luck!!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        October 30, 2018 at 7:41 am

        I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
    54. Jessica

      January 03, 2019 at 11:00 am

      I would love to try this but I have one of the larger slow cookers...do you think I would need to change any of the amounts or cooking time? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        January 04, 2019 at 5:37 am

        Hi! Depending upon the size of your slow cooker, you could double the recipe and I don't think the cook times would need to change. If the amounts in the recipe are used and the layers are very thin, then it will cook faster...I would suggest checking after about 2 hours. I've never cooked it in a larger slow cooker...but would love to know how it turns out!

        Reply
    55. Jules MacDonald

      February 20, 2019 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      So pleasantly surprised! I'd never heard of a good crockpot pasta recipe but put my faith in the reviews and it came out perfectly! I doubled the recipe in my 7 quart crockpot for a team dinner last night and added a little water to my sauce because I didn't want the pasta to absorb all the liquid and leave me with tomato paste. I was looking forward to some of those freezer friendly left overs but there were no left overs!! Thank you so much for this!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        February 20, 2019 at 10:35 am

        I'm thrilled you enjoyed it! It really is perfect when you are entertaining!

        Reply
    56. Alice

      November 11, 2019 at 11:50 pm

      4 stars
      Yum! My crockpot cooked this really fast so it ended up a little burned around the edges, but still really good! I now know to reduce the time for my pot to about four hours, but what a nice and simple recipe and really yummy. I will make this again for sure.

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        November 12, 2019 at 4:43 am

        So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    57. Kerrie

      October 04, 2020 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for the recipe. We had it last night and it was a total hit. I added fresh chopped parsley at the end which we liked. I checked it at 2.5 hours on low and the pasta was almost done so I switched it to keep-warm for an hour and it was perfect. My slow cooker is a 6 quart Crock Pot and runs warmer than the one it replaced so it may be hotter than most. Also, my cooker is round not oval which means the bottom is pretty narrow. I think next time I'll try three layers rather than two. This is definitely going into regular rotation!! Yum!

      Reply
    58. MELINDA DeARMOND

      September 29, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      Our family loves it! The cook time seems to vary depending on the crockpot. Mine is usually done in 3 hours, and sometimes less. I discovered an easy way to know when it's done is to top the dish off with a handful of shredded cheese on top of the pasta sauce at the end. When the cheese has melted, the pasta is hot all the way though. A quick stick of a kitchen knife though the middle always confirms if the pasta is cooked, or if it needs a little more time.

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        September 29, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        Great tip! I'm so glad you enjoy it!

        Reply
    59. Sophia

      November 30, 2022 at 11:22 pm

      4 stars
      You mentioned in the notes that you can freeze this, thaw it in the refrigerator, and then bake it at 350 degrees in the oven to reheat it. How long do you usually put it in the oven? I don't know if I should plan for about 10 minutes or something more like 30 minutes to an hour. Thanks! Fantastic recipe, by the way! My whole family loves it. 😁

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        December 01, 2022 at 9:32 am

        Hi! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your comment. Once defrosted in the refrigerator it will take about 30 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil so it won't crisp too much on the top.

        Reply
    60. G J

      December 13, 2022 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      This is delicious! How many cups does it make? I forgot to measure the total cups before we gobbled it up, and I’d like to track it in my food app.

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        December 21, 2022 at 7:37 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I don't have the serving size in cups, but I will definitely measure next time and post it.

        Reply

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