Comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable Version)
Tender ziti pasta layered with Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella in a rich tomato sauce, slowly cooked to perfection.
# 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
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 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 and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, mixing until well incorporated.
04 - Coat the slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange half the uncooked ziti over the sauce base. Top with half the browned sausage, followed by half the ricotta mixture. Drizzle approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce over the layer.
06 - Repeat layering with remaining uncooked pasta, sausage, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce. Ensure all pasta is covered with sauce for proper cooking.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
08 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly. Avoid removing the lid frequently to maintain consistent heat.
09 - Turn off the slow cooker and let the ziti rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It delivers all the satisfaction of baked ziti without heating up your oven or dirtying multiple pots
- The slow cooker method creates the most incredibly tender pasta that absorbs all that sauce flavor
02 -
- Every slow cooker heats differently, so start checking at the 3 hour mark to avoid mushy pasta
- The resting period is not optional—it allows the sauce to thicken and the cheese to set properly
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from blocks—pre shredded cheese contains anticaking agents that prevent smooth melting
- If your sauce seems too thick after resting, stir in a splash of pasta water or warm marinara before serving