Crock Pot Baked Ziti

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti is hearty, meaty, and oh-so cheesy.

Any dish covered in cheese is already guaranteed to be good. But this one goes above and beyond. Loaded with pasta, ground sausage, marinara, and three cheeses, it's a showstopper.

The beauty of this recipe is you don’t even need to boil the ziti. Just layer everything in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it! It's totally customizable, too. Swap the meat, switch the cheese, sneak in some veggies, it's your call.

If you need to feed a crowd (and impress them) without breaking a sweat, this is the one to make.

Ingredients for Easy Baked Ziti

• Italian Sausage: I like using hot Italian sausage for a little kick, but sweet or mild works just as well. If yours comes in casings, just remove them before crumbling it into the pan.
• Onion and Garlic: Finely chop your aromatics so they blend into the sauce as they cook.
• Marinara Sauce: Use a high-quality jarred sauce or homemade if you have time.
• Tomato Sauce: I stir in tomato sauce to stretch the marinara and make sure there’s enough to coat all the pasta.
• Water or Broth: I go with low-sodium broth to flavor the pasta as it cooks. Water works too, but broth gives it a little more flavor.
• Seasonings: I season my ziti with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Taste your sauce first, though. Some jarred versions are already salty or herby.
• Cheeses: It's ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for me. Fontina, provolone, or even cream cheese work great too if you want to switch things up. Just be sure to use freshly grated cheese so it blends in better and doesn’t clump.

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Ziti

This easy crock pot baked ziti recipe comes together with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you.

1. Brown the meat. Cook sausage and chopped onion in a skillet for 6 – 8 minutes or until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

2. Make the sauce. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, water or broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

3. Assemble. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 1/3 each of the uncooked ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat twice to make 3 layers.

4. Cook. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours..

5. Serve. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes with the lid off. Garnish with basil or parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

Don’t worry about getting everything perfect; this recipe is very forgiving. Whether you're missing an ingredient or just want to switch things up, these tips will help you make it your own.

• Grease the pot. For easy cleanup, grease your crock pot lightly with non-stick spray before assembling the ziti. 
• Cheese: You can substitute the ricotta with cottage cheese, which has a similar texture. Cream cheese also works if you prefer a richer baked ziti.
• Italian Sausage: Swap the sausage with ground beef, chicken, or turkey.
• Creamy Ziti: For a creamier version, replace half of the broth or water with heavy cream.
• Pasta: Instead of ziti, use any short pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or elbow macaroni.
• Vegetables: Feel free to mix in shredded zucchini or carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, or finely chopped spinach or kale.
• Pesto: Add dollops of pesto with the ricotta layer for an earthy, nutty flavor.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving crock pot baked ziti with garlic bread or dinner rolls to help soak up all that delicious sauce.  

For a well-rounded meal, pair it with veggies like roasted broccolini or my copycat Olive Garden salad.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

To Store or Make-Ahead: Allow baked ziti to cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.

To Freeze: Store individual portions in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight before reheating.

To Reheat: Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through. Reheat larger servings in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

4.5 from 597 votes

Course: Dinner, mainCuisine: Italian, American

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

4

hours 

Calories

596

kcal

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti is creamy, meaty, and oh-so cheesy. It's the ultimate comfort food made easy. Set it, forget it, and come back to a mouthwatering dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce

• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

• 1 (16-ounce) box uncooked ziti pasta

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

• Add sausage and onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until sausage is browned, about 6 – 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, water or broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 1/3 each of the uncooked ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat twice to make 3 layers total.
• Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes with the lid off to allow the ziti to set. Garnish with basil or parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Add Veggies: Stir in chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
• Cheese Options: You can substitute the ricotta with cottage cheese, which has a similar texture. Cream cheese also works if you prefer a richer baked ziti.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This dish also freezes well. Just thaw overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

• Total number of serves: 8
• Calories: 596kcal
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 57mg
• Sodium: 1719mg
• Potassium: 746mg
• Carbohydrates: 72g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 21g
• Protein: 27g
• Calcium: 220mg
• Iron: 4mg
• Vitamin D: 0mg