Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)

Tender ziti pasta layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Italian sausage in rich marinara sauce, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.

# 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
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

# 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 cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella (1 cup), Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, mixing until fully 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 - Add half the uncooked ziti pasta, followed by half the browned sausage, half the ricotta mixture, and approximately 2 cups marinara sauce. Repeat layering with remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta, and sauce.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 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 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 if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does nearly all the work while you go about your day
  • That moment when you lift the lid and see bubbling cheese and perfectly tender pasta never gets old
02 -
  • Every slow cooker runs differently, so start checking at the 3-hour mark to avoid mushy pasta
  • That 15-minute rest period is absolutely not optional unless you want to serve ziti soup
03 -
  • For extra richness, whisk an egg into the ricotta mixture before layering
  • Check your favorite marinara sauce label if you're avoiding soy or nuts

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