This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal, combining tender pasta, savory ground beef, and creamy ricotta cheese for a rich, flavorful dish. Layered with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this hearty Italian classic comes together effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional baked ziti without the fuss. Serve it hot and garnish with fresh basil for a touch of brightness. It’s a family favorite that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love It:
Hands-Off Cooking: Let your slow cooker do the work while you go about your day.
Crowd-Pleaser: This cheesy, hearty dish is a guaranteed hit with family and friends.
Minimal Cleanup: Fewer pots and pans mean you can enjoy your meal without a pile of dishes.
Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to include your favorite ingredients or suit dietary preferences.
Key Ingredients:
Ground Beef: Adds a savory, meaty base to the ziti. You can substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variety.
Dried Ziti Pasta: Ziti holds its shape beautifully in the slow cooker, creating perfect layers of tender pasta. Penne is a great alternative if ziti isn’t available.
Pasta Sauce: A rich tomato-based sauce brings the flavors together. Choose your favorite jarred sauce or use homemade for an extra personal touch.
Ricotta Cheese: Creamy ricotta creates a luscious layer of cheese that melts into the pasta as it cooks. Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a gooey, melty topping that finishes the dish with cheesy perfection.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the layers of pasta and sauce.
Eggs: Binding the ricotta mixture, eggs help create a rich and creamy texture.
Tomato Sauce: Blends with the pasta sauce to create a hearty and flavorful base for the dish.
Fresh Basil: Chopped basil brings fresh, aromatic notes to complement the rich, cheesy layers.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that balance the flavors in the dish.
Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking, ensuring an easy cleanup.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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Step-by-Step Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
1. Cook the Ground Beef:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
Drain any excess fat and set the cooked beef aside.
2. Make the Cheese Mixture:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine:
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
In a separate bowl, mix together:
1 jar (24 oz) of tomato pasta sauce
1 can (15 oz) of plain tomato sauce
Stir to combine, creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
Step 2: Assemble the Ziti in the Slow Cooker
1. Grease the Slow Cooker:
Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. Layer the Ingredients:
Layer 1: Spread about 2⅓ cups of the sauce mixture evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker.
Layer 2: Add 1/3 of the dried ziti pasta (about 8 oz), spreading it evenly over the sauce.
Layer 3: Spoon and spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.
Layer 4: Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
Layer 5: Evenly distribute 1/2 of the cooked ground beef over the Parmesan.
3. Repeat Layers:
Continue layering the sauce, pasta, ricotta, Parmesan, and ground beef until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce on top.
Step 3: Cook the Ziti
1. Cook:
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Set it to HIGH heat and cook for 2-3 hours. The pasta should be tender, and the layers should be melded together into a rich casserole.
2. Add Mozzarella:
About 10-15 minutes before serving, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
Cover again and let the cheese melt.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
1. Serve:
Once the mozzarella has melted completely, scoop generous portions of the ziti into bowls or onto plates.
Garnish with additional fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
2. Enjoy:
Savor the warm, cheesy, and comforting flavors of this slow-cooked Italian classic. Pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions:
For a Family Dinner: Serve generous portions with warm garlic bread and a Caesar salad for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
For a Party or Potluck: Keep the slow cooker on the “warm” setting and let guests help themselves. Pair with antipasto skewers or a charcuterie board for a fun and festive spread.
For Leftovers: Baked ziti is even better the next day! Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of Parmesan for a quick and satisfying lunch.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigeration
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating Tip: Warm individual portions in the microwave or heat the entire dish in the oven at 350°F until bubbly.
Freezing
Assemble the ziti in a freezer-safe dish (but don’t cook). Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
To Cook from Frozen: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then cook in the slow cooker as directed.
Make-Ahead Option
Prepare the layers the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, transfer to the slow cooker and start cooking.
Variations:
Vegetarian Baked Ziti
Skip the ground beef and add layers of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a veggie-packed version.
Spicy Ziti
Mix crushed red pepper flakes into the tomato sauce or use hot Italian sausage for a kick of heat.
Four-Cheese Ziti
Include ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone for an extra cheesy experience.
Gluten-Free Ziti
Substitute gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
Lighter Version
Use ground turkey, low-fat ricotta, and reduced-fat cheese to cut back on calories without sacrificing flavor.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, blending creamy, cheesy, and hearty flavors into one satisfying dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something warm and indulgent.
Make it once, and it’ll quickly become a family favorite! Pair it with crusty bread, a fresh salad, and a glass of your favorite wine for a restaurant-quality Italian meal at home.
Looking for more Italian-inspired recipes? Try dishes like Chicken Alfredo Bake or Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup for more comforting classics.
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti: A Comforting, Easy Italian Classic
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 16 oz dried ziti pasta
- 2 jars pasta sauce your choice
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain any excess fat and set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. In another bowl, mix together 1 jar (24 oz) of tomato pasta sauce and 1 can (15 oz) of plain tomato sauce.
- Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Spread about 2⅓ cups of the sauce mixture evenly over the bottom. Add 1/3 of the dried ziti pasta, spreading evenly. Spoon 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Evenly distribute 1/2 of the cooked ground beef. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to HIGH heat. Cook for 2-3 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the layers are melded together. About 10-15 minutes before serving, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer, cover again, and let the cheese melt.
- Scoop generous portions of the ziti into bowls or onto plates. Garnish with additional fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.