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. 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.
- ZITI PASTA: Ziti pasta, the ever-popular tube-shaped pasta, gets its name from the word “zita,” or bride; Stock up with this pack of 8, 16-ounce boxes of ziti pasta
- BARILLA PASTA: Made with durum wheat to deliver great taste and perfect "al dente" texture every time
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
Lindsay says
Could I add frozen meatballs?
Matt Fay says
Hi Lindsay - you can! I think I'd add those in at Step 5. This way you have them deep in the crock pot, and covered with other ingredients. This will ensure that they get fully cooked and come out nice and hot!
Whitney says
If I cooked a half batch in a 3qt crockpot would your recommend an adjustment to the cook time?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Whitney, I would reduce by a half hour. Also, make sure to cover the noodles in sauce. This is what cooks them so they need to be completely covered. More sauce is better than less.
Amberly says
Is there no hamburger meat in this recipe?
Allison Treadwell says
There isn't any put you can add ground beef. Just brown and drain the beef and then mix it in with the red sauce.
Amanda says
Do you have to use gluten free pasta for this to turn out? Could I use regular ziti or penne?
Allison Treadwell says
You can use regular pasta! We just use gluten free. It has the same cooking time. Enjoy!
nikki says
hii, i was just wondering if i halved this recipe would it need less time?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Nikki, I would say that it would need less time but not sure on half. I would reduce by a half hour and then check to see if the noodles are soft. Also, make sure to completely cover the noodles in sauce so that it cooks the noodles.
Monica Jenniges says
We made this and it was good! We didn’t completely cover pasta with red sauce on top layer make sure you do that otherwise some noodles will be hard! Overall good! LOADED with cheese!
Andra says
Do you cook pasta 1st before adding to crock pot?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Andra! You do not cook the pasta before. The red sauce will cook the pasta.
Brooke says
Can you add burger to this for protein?
Allison Treadwell says
Absolutely! We add ground beef all the time and sausage. Just brown and drain the fat then stir it in with the red sauce.
Kelly says
Can you cook this on low for 5 hours ?
Julie says
Can this be assembled and refrigerated ahead of time (ie night before)?
Allison Treadwell says
The noodles might soak in the red sauce too long and turn to mush. I'm not sure I would recommend it...
Julie says
Very good point. Thank you!
Dora Lomme says
If I use a pound and a half of pasta, do you think I would just increase everything else by 50%? Do you think I would need more time
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Dora! I would probably recommend adding at least a half hour. I usually check with a toothpick once the cooking time is done to make sure it goes through the noodles easily. Also, make sure to add maybe 75% more sauce and 50% of everything else. The key is that all the noodles are covered in sauce so they cook in the sauce. Hope it works great!
Dora Lomme says
Thank you!
Amy Dendy says
What size crock pot do you use?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Amy! I use a 6 qt crockpot. Make sure to cover the noodles completely with the red sauce so they cook even. Enjoy!
Sierra says
It was so good although I freshly grated my mozzarella which might have had a play in it being so cheesy which we love in our household I browned ground beef and added to it, my husband said the only thing I could have done differently was a little less sauce
Andrea says
Made it- cooked on Low for 4 hrs and then switched it to Keep Warm for another 4. Next time I need to use a bit less noodles- and possibly a) more sauce or b) add a bit of water to sauce. The original recipe came out a bit dry and we like our pasta saucier.
Allison Treadwell says
Thanks for the feedback Andrea! Everyone always asks if it can cook on low so this is great news!
Tess says
Can you do it without eggs?
Allison Treadwell says
HI Tess,
Yes you can omit the eggs. Hope you enjoy it!
Anna says
Can you p,ease say what size crock pot you use when posting a recipe? Thanks
Allison Treadwell says
I use a 6 qt typically.
Becca says
Are the noodles cooked beforehand?
Allison Treadwell says
They are uncooked.
Suzanne says
Do you cook the pasta first or put it in raw?
Allison Treadwell says
The pasta goes in raw! Enjoy!
Katie says
Has anyone added meat to this? Ground beef or sausage?
Shea says
I added ground beef and it came out great!
Allison Treadwell says
Yay!! So happy you liked it!
Angie McLaren says
What size crockpot do you use?
Allison Treadwell says
I use a 7 qt usually!
Kaci says
Can you cook this on low?
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Kaci, I haven't cooked it on low but other have and said it was still delicious.
Kayla says
I forgot to add egg hopefully turns out good
Allison Treadwell says
Hi Kayla! I hope it turned out delicious. I think it would be fine without the egg.