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.
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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. 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
I actually used this gluten free penne pasta instead of ziti! I couldn’t find gluten free ziti at the grocery store. As you can see it doesn’t make a difference at all. 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 and spices.
STEP 3. Layer sauce on bottom of the Slow Cooker
STEP 4. Layer Noodles
STEP 5. Scoop Five Dollops of Ricotta
STEP 6. Add Layer of Mozzarella
STEP 7. Repeat these layers two times times.
STEP 8. Add one more layer of pasta, sauce, mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. (No Noodles on this layer)
STEP 9. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours
Perfect for Potluck
Crock Pot Baked Ziti makes 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 6-8 people 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 – I make everything gluten free in our house because my husband has celiac disease, which is when you are allergic to gluten. Our favorite 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.
If you are not gluten free swap the gluten free pasta for any ziti or penne.
Need A New Crock Pot?
My favorite is this Crock Pot 7 quart Programmable Slow Cooker. First and foremost, I love being able to set the timer in case I’m not home when the food is finished cooking and it just switches to warm. Plus you can lock the lid and just carry it to a party. Not only is it easy to carry but also you will never lose another Tupperware or serving dish again at a potluck party!
Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 32 oz ricotta
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan plus more for topping
- 48 oz marina sauce 2 jars (24 oz jars)
- 12 oz gluten free penne
- 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Spray entire slow cooker insert with non-stick spray.
- In large bowl, mix ricotta with two eggs, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, basil, salt and pepper.
- Cover bottom of slow cooker with sauce.
- Layer pasta on top of sauce.
- Take 5 scoops of the ricotta mixture drop onto sauce.
- Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat steps 3-5 two more times.
- End with layer of sauce, mozzarella and parmesan.
- Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours.
- Serve with grated parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
More Casseroles
Looking for more easy casseroles? Try this easy Mexican Casserole.
Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole
Kascia says
Hi, I’m currently making this. Do I stir it as it cooks? Or just let it be. And when it’s done do you stir it up all together or just serve it??
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Kascia! I’m so sorry I didn’t see this. You do not usually stir it when it cooking. Let me know how it turned out!!
Gina Williams says
Do you have to use gluten free pasta?? Thanks, Gina
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Gina! Any pasta will work! It doesn’t need to be gluten free.
Janelle says
Hi Gina,
Can I substitute a different cheese for the ricotta?
Amanda says
This looks so good but I was wondering if you could cook it on low. And if so how long?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Amanda! I haven’t cooked it low before because I worry the noddles will get too soft. However, people have told me they have cooked it on low and it still turned out great. I would say 4 hours on low and check to see if the noodles are soft.
Kristin says
Hi! Do I cook the noodles first or so they cook in the crockpot pot? Thanks.
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Kristin, You do not cook the noodles first. You just cover them completely in the red sauce and the liquid from the sauce cooks the noodles. Hope you enjoy it!
Jennifer Davis says
If I wanted to half the recipe how long would you recommend it cook?
Allison Treadwell says
HI Jennifer- I think it would still need to cook for 2 hours. The red sauce cooks the noodles so just make sure to cover them completely with sauce.
K says
Hi, I know it says how many servings but what amount is a serving. 1 cup, 1/2 c. Please let me know thanks!
Janelle says
Hi Allison,
Can I substitute a different cheese for the ricotta?
Allison Treadwell says
HI Janelle! Yes, people substitute the ricotta with cream cheese or cottage cheese typically. Hope you enjoy it!
Brianna says
Do you need to have the egg in this? Any substitutes? I have a son with an egg allergy so look for an alternative to try this.
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Brianna, You can easily skip the egg. It just adds flavor. It will still be good without it. Just make sure to cover all the noodles in red sauce so they cook evenly. Hope you enjoy it!!
Rebekah Callant says
I made this tonight and it was great BUT I did have to cook mine for MUCH longer. At 2 1/2 hours I was eating raw pasta in most spots… I ended up cooking mine for 2 1/2 more hours and it was great. I am at high altitude, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. Otherwise it was great!!!
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Rebekah- I’m so sorry to hear the cook time wasn’t correct for you. Unfortunately, so many crockpots have cook times that are different since their temperatures vary. Mine does run a little hot. I’m happy you had time and it turned out delicious. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Zoe says
Can you add ground beef to this recipe?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Zoe! Absolutely! If you just brown the meat and drain the grease first. Then add it to the red sauce and follow the instructions the same. Hope you enjoy it!