Description
Crockpot Baked Ziti is the ultimate hands-off comfort food—cheesy, hearty, and effortlessly delicious. With layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this slow cooker version brings all the flavor of traditional baked ziti without ever turning on the oven. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, it’s a family favorite that tastes like pure Italian comfort.
Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) uncooked ziti pasta
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3 cups (710 ml) marinara sauce
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1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
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2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tsp (3 g) garlic powder
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1 tsp (2 g) Italian seasoning
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Prep the crockpot: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
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Layer ingredients: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom. Add half the uncooked ziti, half the ricotta, and half the mozzarella.
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Repeat the layers: Add the remaining pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella.
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Top it off: Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
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Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is perfectly melted.
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Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with garlic bread or salad.
Notes
Use thicker marinara sauce to avoid mushy pasta.
Check doneness at the 3-hour mark—overcooking can soften the pasta too much.
Mix in browned Italian sausage or ground beef for added protein.
Add spinach or zucchini for a veggie-packed version.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat with a splash of marinara or olive oil to keep it moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American