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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!
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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!
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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:
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.
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.
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!
More Crock-Pot Recipes
Let the slow cooker do all the work for these comfort dishes too!
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
Crock-Pot Baked Ziti
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Equipment
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
- 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.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on 9/17/13 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.
Mar says
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!
Marjory says
Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
Adam D says
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!
Marjory says
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm so glad you liked it. 🙂 (My hubby loves it with beef!)
cecilia says
where can I purchase a smaller crock pot for one person
Marjory says
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!
Kristy says
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!
Karen says
could you please tell me how many would this feed about? Thank you.
Marjory says
Hi! The yield is about 8 servings.
Melissa says
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!
Marjory says
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!
Noboddy71 says
I'm giving this 5 stars and I have yet to taste it. I'm watching it cook as we type. I have only a 2 quart crockpot, and I so regret yet again buying a crockpot that small cuz for even for two people the thing is tiny. So I fit what I could in it till it almost overflowing and placed the lid on it anyway. Since my crockpot is so small, will it still take 4 hours to cook?
thanks fam ❤
mary ann parsley says
How many calories
Marjory says
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.
Smcbride says
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!
Marjory says
Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm glad you liked it!
kim says
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!
Marjory says
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.
Amy Greenberg says
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!
Marjory says
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!
Jody says
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!
Marjory says
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!
Deborah says
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.....
Marjory says
Hi! 2 egg whites or 1 egg. Sorry for any confusion! It will work out either way!
Regina says
Good taste, but pasta was a bit mushy for me...kids loved it though.
Marjory says
I'm glad the kids liked it. But, sorry your pasta was mushy...I'd love to know what happened. Thanks for sharing.
Ela says
Can you cook it on high for 2 hours?
Marjory says
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.
Julie says
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!
Marjory says
Awesome! Sounds like a delish version I'll be trying very soon.
Heather says
I didn't have any ricota, so I substituted with feta...absolutely amazing. I'm currently sharing your recipe with everyone at work.
Marjory says
Wow! I've never tried feta. I bet that is delicious, speaking as a big feta fan! Thanks for commenting.
Debbie says
Could you do this in a roaster pan and double recipe ?
Marjory says
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!