Breaking News! You can make pasta in your slow cooker. This Crock Pot Baked Ziti was made completely in the slow cooker. Cheesy, gooey pasta is a must try in your slow cooker! I know, I know. It's hard to believe!
You don't even have to cook the pasta before. I thought that the pasta would turn to mush but they ended up just like regular baked ziti. The best part is that I didn't have to heat up my kitchen since it was 102 degrees the day I made it!
There are actually tons of Italian recipes you can make in your slow cooker, two other easy ones are Creamy Italian Chicken and Bruschetta Chicken, if you aren't feeling pasta.
Disclaimer- Some links below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Secret Step for Crock Pot Baked Ziti
The secret is that you don't add any water to the pasta and the tomato sauce slowly cooks the pasta for you. The secret-secret is to make sure the ziti pasta pieces sit in the red sauce when you layer the ingredients in the Crock Pot. If any of the pasta isn't in the red sauce, those parts might end up a little hard.
This recipe is so simple that all you have to do is mix a few ingredients together and then layer them all just like the traditional baked ziti.
Cheese, Cheese, and more Cheese!
The triple cheese blend makes this baked ziti a melty cheesy masterpiece. All of these cheeses add a unique flavor and gives you that real Italian restaurant Baked Ziti experience.
- Ricotta
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
Types of Pasta for This Dish
Ziti Pasta
Ziti is a type of Italian pasta shaped as smooth, medium-length tubes with straight-cut ends (unlike penne, which has angled cuts). Ziti is traditionally used in baked dishes like baked ziti, where the hollow center helps trap sauces, cheeses, and meat for a hearty, flavorful bite. Its sturdy texture holds up well to thick tomato sauces, creamy cheeses, and slow-cooked meats, making it a go-to pasta for comforting, oven-finished meals.
Optional Gluten-Free Penne Pasta
If you want a gluten-free version of this dish, just swap out the pasta. I've actually used this gluten free penne pasta instead of ziti! It really doesn't make much difference to the finished dish.
Other Tube Pasta Options
You can use any tube pasta you should be good to go.
Ingredients to Make Crock Pot Baked Ziti
- Jarred pasta sauce or homemade pasta sauce
- Uncooked ziti/penne pasta
- Ricotta cheese
- Eggs
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Basil
- Salt and Pepper
Step by Step Directions for Crock Pot Baked Ziti
STEP 1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray
STEP 2. Mix ricotta cheese with egg, ½ the parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
STEP 3. Layer sauce on bottom of the slow cooker
STEP 4. Layer the pasta. Make sure the pasta is in the sauce.
STEP 5. Scoop five dollops of ricotta (about ¼ of your mix)
STEP 6. Add layer of mozzarella (using about ¼, or 2oz, of the cheese)
STEP 7. Repeat these layers two more times.
STEP 8. Add one more layer of pasta, sauce, mozzarella, and sprinkle with the rest of your Parmesan cheese. (No pasta on this layer)
STEP 9. Cook on high for 3 hours
Important Note About Servings and Crock Pot Size
Because we're using pasta in the Crock Pot, it's important not to over or under cook this.
When using a Crock Pot of any size, you want to aim for having the ceramic insert at least ⅔ full for a proper cook. Less than that you food might get too hot too fast.
I find that my 4-quart Crock Pot works great when making 4 servings of the baked ziti. For larger crowds, say 6-8 servings, I'll use my 6-quart cooker. If I use my 6-quart cooker for 4 servings it just gets too hot.
- Crock-Pot 4 Quart Travel Proof Cook and Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Locking Lid, Convenient Handles, and Digital Display, Stainless Steel
Perfect for Potluck
Crock Pot Baked Ziti can make A LOT of pasta! I love to make this as a main dish to bring to potlucks and everyone always raves about it. This will easily serve 4 - 8 people (adjust printable menu card with servings requirement) with large portions for a family dinner or you can freeze the leftovers and eat it later. We always freeze our leftovers and then eat it the following week!
Food Allergies
Gluten Free - If you want a gluten-free version of this dish, I have you covered! My favorite gluten-free pasta is the Gluten Free Barillla Pasta line. It doesn't have the after taste of some pasta's made with beans. I find that it is the best one at staying together while cooking. Some brands disintegrate especially when using in this kind of recipe where the pasta is soaking in sauce soaking.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 24 oz marina sauce
- 8 oz Ziti pasta
- 16 oz ricotta
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon basil
- .5 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Spray entire slow cooker insert with non-stick spray.
- In large bowl, mix ricotta with the egg, basil, salt, pepper and half of the grated parmesan.
- Cover bottom of slow cooker with sauce.
- Layer ⅓ of the pasta pasta evenly on top of sauce.
- Take 5 scoops of the ricotta mixture drop onto sauce (about ¼ of your mix).
- Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese (about ¼ of your cheese).
- Repeat steps 3-6 two more times.
- End with layer of sauce, mozzarella, and then the rest of the parmesan cheese.
- Cook on high for 3 hours. Test doneness by sampling on of the ziti pasta pieces. If too firm, cook a little longer.
- Optional: Serve with additional fresh grated parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
More Casseroles
Looking for more easy casseroles? Try this easy Mexican Casserole.
Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole
Shannon says
Should it read “repeat steps 3-6” I. The directions? Based upon images, it looks like mozzarella is layered not just on top. Please clarify. Thank you!
Matt Fay says
Hi Shannon. Good catch, and yes, that should read "steps 3-6". Updating that now. Thank you!
Doug says
Could you make this with hamburger in sauce.
Matt Fay says
Hi Doug. Absolutely! You can add hamburger, sausage, or other proteins. Suggest browning the meat on the stove first for best flavor and texture, otherwise it'll get all clumpy. I would suggest adding it as a layer between the first layer of sauce and the pasta. But you can customize it any way you'd like.
Nikki says
How long would this cook for on low? Daughter needing something she can start at lunch and have ready for a super late dinner time. She is gluten free so needing to not have yucky mushy pasta.
Matt Fay says
Hey Nikki - Sounds like you're talking about needing it to cook for 7 hours or so. In this case, I think that would be too long for the pasta.
Joslyn says
We made this once, loved it but texture ended up being a little off with the Parmesan. Trying a different brand this time. Question-do you stir at all during the 2.5 hours or not until finished?
Matt Fay says
Hi Joslyn - I don't stir at all. Mainly because I like to keep the cheese as a top layer when serving.