Crockpot baked ziti layers uncooked pasta with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for an easy, cheesy dinner. There's no need to boil the pasta first. Just layer everything in the slow cooker and cook until the pasta is tender, then finish it with more melted cheese and basil.
Notes from my kitchen
This is the only way I make baked ziti. I get the classic flavor with just 15 minutes of prep. I don't even have to turn on the oven.
Even though it's an easy weekday dinner, I usually save it for special occasions. Its hands-off nature makes entertaining very easy. Plus, there are fewer dishes to wash when dinner is over!
I keep it meatless. However, if you want a heartier version, you can tuck cooked ground beef or sausage into the layers. I pair it with mixed greens dressed with sweet red wine vinegar dressing and garlic bread, and everyone is very happy.
Marjory
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this slow cooker baked ziti recipe:
Of special note:
- Ziti pasta - Use uncooked, dry ziti. Penne is a good substitute and cooks similarly in the slow cooker. Whole wheat ziti will work, but may take slightly longer to cook.
- Marinara sauce - Choose a jarred marinara or pasta sauce you already love. It provides both the flavor and the moisture needed to cook the dry pasta.
- Ricotta cheese - Use full-fat or part-skim ricotta. Substitute cottage cheese if you prefer. It does not need to be pureed, but you can blend it for a smoother texture.
Optional: Add cooked ground beef or sausage to this recipe if desired.
The recipe card below includes ingredient amounts, step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information.
How to make crockpot baked ziti
Use these pictures as a guide to make this recipe:
Make the cheese mixture
Combine the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, mozzarella, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
Make the first pasta layer
Add half of the uncooked ziti to the crock-pot and stir with pasta sauce until the noodles are well coated.
Add the cheese layer
Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta and sauce.
Repeat the layers
Repeat the pasta, sauce, and ricotta layers, then spread the remaining pasta sauce over the top.
Cook and finish with cheese
Cook until the pasta is tender, then top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover briefly until the cheese melts, and finish with fresh basil.
How do you know when the crockpot baked ziti is done?
Start checking the ziti at the beginning of the cooking-time range by spooning out a noodle. It should be tender but firm when you bite it.
Slow cookers vary, and you want to stop cooking when the pasta is tender rather than letting it become too soft.
What to serve with slow cooker baked ziti
Since baked ziti is rich and cheesy, I like to pair it with a simple vegetable or salad.
Crispy roasted green beans are an easy vegetable side and can be made in the oven or air fryer. For something fresh and colorful, grape tomato Caprese salad keeps the Italian flavors going.
Bread is always welcome for scooping up extra marinara.
For a lighter way to enjoy similar Italian flavors, try my eggplant Parmesan stacks! They layer roasted eggplant with marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan without breading or frying.
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Easy Crockpot Baked Ziti (No-Boil Recipe)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound ziti pasta uncooked, or penne pasta
- 48 ounces marinara or pasta sauce two 24-ounce jars
- ½ teaspoon dried basil or 7-8 leaves sliced thin
Instructions
- Coat the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray.
- Combine ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, egg, salt and pepper in a bowl and set aside.
- Place half of the uncooked pasta in the crockpot.
- Pour 2 cups of pasta sauce over the pasta. Use a spoon to make sure each pasta noodle is coated with marinara and evenly layered in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Drop spoonfuls of half the ricotta mixture over the top of the ziti noodles. Use the back of a spoon to spread the cheese into an even layer.
- Repeat the pasta, marinara and cheese layers. Pour the remaining pasta sauce (about 1 cup) over the top.
- Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and basil over the top. Replace the lid and let it sit for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the layers set.
Notes
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Nutrition
Wendy says
I thought it was wonderful. I live alone and I made 10 servings for me. wow. I used no sugar spaghetti sauce. That's so good. I bought it by accident one time and haven't stopped using it. I took some of reviews suggestions and I only cooked it 4 hours. My crockpot is 30 years old. another suggestion was to stick a knife in it. That was a very smart suggestion. Thank you to the person that suggested that. I'm going to keep this in my recipe rotation.
Mark says
Making it now. I messed up and forgot to put the sausage I cooked on until right before the final tomato sauce layer so hoping it’ll come out ok still!
Marjory Pilley says
I hope it was as delicious as it sounds!
G J says
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.
Marjory Pilley says
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.
Sophia says
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. 😁
Marjory Pilley says
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.
MELINDA DeARMOND says
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.
Marjory Pilley says
Great tip! I'm so glad you enjoy it!