Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)
Creamy, cheesy pasta comfort made simple in your slow cooker with Italian sausage and three cheeses.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
→ Pasta
02 - 1 lb dry ziti pasta
→ Dairy
03 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables & Sauces
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 48 oz marinara sauce (2 jars)
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat before proceeding.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella (half), Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix until well incorporated.
04 - Coat the slow cooker insert thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
05 - Layer ingredients in this order: half of the uncooked ziti, followed by half of the browned sausage, half of the ricotta mixture, and approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce. Repeat the layers using remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta filling, and sauce.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove the lid and allow the dish to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing incredible flavor while you go about your day
- That moment when you scoop through the layers and hit all three cheeses is pure joy
02 -
- Skip the temptation to precook the pasta, it will become mushy because it continues cooking in the slow cooker
- The resting period is not optional, this gives the cheese layers time to firm up slightly
03 -
- Use a slow cooker liner for effortless cleanup afterward
- Stir once gently halfway through cooking if the edges look like they are drying out