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
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!