Savory Slow Cooker Baked Ziti: Easy Recipe
Effortless Comfort Food Pasta Dishes.
The coziest, cheesiest baked ziti, made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for those busy weeknights.
I remember first trying this out on a drizzly Tuesday afternoon. The kids were at school, and the house was quiet. I layered everything into the slow cooker, feeling a little skeptical, I admit. But a few hours later, the whole house was filled with that incredible, rich aroma of simmering tomatoes and garlic. When everyone got home, dinner was just… ready. No last-minute rush, no pile of pans. Just this beautiful, deeply flavorful ziti waiting for us. It felt like such a small, perfect victory. Now, it's our go-to for days that need a little extra comfort without any of the fuss.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite
- •Truly set-it-and-forget-it. After a quick bit of prep, the slow cooker does all the work.
- •Incredible Flavor. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that savory goodness.
- •The Perfect Comfort Food. It's cheesy, warm, and feels like a hug from the inside out.
- •Makes the Whole House Smell Amazing. Seriously, it's the best welcome home.
"I honestly can't believe how perfectly the pasta cooks in the slow cooker. It's tender and so flavorful from simmering in the sauce all afternoon. This has completely changed our weeknight dinner game!"
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Whole Milk Ricotta: Don't skip on this! The full-fat ricotta provides a creaminess and richness that's just so much more luxurious than part-skim. It makes the texture so dreamy.
- Uncooked Ziti: Yes, really! The magic of this recipe is that the pasta cooks right in the slow cooker. It absorbs the sauce and becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. No need to boil it separately.
- Shredded Mozzarella: For the best melt, I always recommend shredding your own from a block. The pre-shredded kind has anti-caking agents that can prevent it from getting perfectly gooey. But hey, in a pinch, it works too!
Complete Cooking Process
- Start by browning your ground beef with the onion. This step builds a deep, savory foundation.
- Add the garlic, but just for a minute—you want it fragrant, not bitter.
- Stir in all your tomatoes and seasonings to create a simple, beautiful sauce.
- Think of it like a lasagna. Start with a layer of sauce to prevent sticking.
- Add half your uncooked pasta, then dollop the creamy ricotta mixture over it.
- Sprinkle with cheese. And then do it all again! It’s a simple rhythm: sauce, pasta, ricotta, cheese.
- Set your slow cooker to LOW. This gentle heat is key to letting the pasta cook perfectly without getting mushy.
- Let it go for 3-4 hours. Check for tenderness around the 3-hour mark.
- Finish with that final blanket of cheese and let it melt into gooey perfection before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
→Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just omit the ground beef. You can add some sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce for extra substance. It’s just as delicious.
→Can I use a different type of pasta?
For sure. Penne is a great substitute. Any sturdy, tube-shaped pasta will work well as it holds the sauce beautifully. I would avoid delicate shapes like spaghetti or angel hair.
→Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can assemble the entire dish in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, just place the insert in the cooker and turn it on. You might need to add an extra 30-60 minutes to the cooking time since you're starting from cold.
Savory Slow Cooker Baked Ziti: Easy Recipe
Enjoy this savory slow cooker baked ziti recipe! It's easy to prepare and loaded with cheesy goodness. The perfect family dinner.
Timing
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
3-4 hours
Total Time
Approx. 4 hours 20 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 011 lb ground beef or beef sausage, casings removed
- 021 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 033 cloves garlic, minced
- 041 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 051 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 062 teaspoons dried oregano
- 071 teaspoon dried basil
- 081/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 091/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta and Cheese Layers
- 011 lb ziti or penne pasta, uncooked
- 021 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
- 031 large egg, lightly beaten
- 041/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 052 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 061 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
While the sauce simmers, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Mix until it’s all smoothly combined.
Now it's time to layer. Spread about one-third of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with half of the uncooked ziti. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella.
Repeat the layers: another third of the sauce, the remaining uncooked ziti, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another third of the mozzarella. Finish with the remaining meat sauce on top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender. Ooh, it’s so hard to wait, but the smell will keep you going!
Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan over the top. Cover and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes, just until that top layer is beautifully melted and gooey. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes & Tips
- 1Don't be afraid to make it your own! Sometimes I'll add a handful of fresh spinach into the ricotta mixture or some red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick. Cooking should feel personal.
Tools You'll Need
- •Resist the urge to stir! Once you've layered everything, let the slow cooker work its magic undisturbed. Stirring can break up the pasta.
- •Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray before you start layering. It makes cleanup so much easier.
- •Every slow cooker is a little different. Check your pasta for doneness at the 3-hour mark to avoid overcooking.