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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Featured in: One-Pot Comfort Meals

This comforting dish combines dry ziti pasta layered with rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella. The ingredients are stacked in a slow cooker and cooked on either high or low heat, allowing flavors to meld perfectly while the pasta softens. Optional Italian herbs add aromatic depth, and it’s easy to customize with sausage or alternate pasta types. A relaxed, hands-off approach yields a cheesy, satisfying meal ideal for busy days or family dinners.

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Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:22:00 GMT
Steaming hot Slow Cooker Baked Ziti with bubbly mozzarella and ricotta, ready to serve with family. Pin It
Steaming hot Slow Cooker Baked Ziti with bubbly mozzarella and ricotta, ready to serve with family. | plumbrine.com

A comforting, cheesy pasta dish made effortless with just five ingredients& perfect for busy weeknights. Simply dump everything into your slow cooker for a no-fuss, family-friendly meal.

This recipe has been a go-to in my home because it lets me prepare dinner with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 450 g (1 lb) dry ziti pasta (uncooked)
  • Sauces & Dairy: 700 ml (24 oz) jar marinara sauce, 475 g (2 cups) ricotta cheese, 225 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Seasoning: 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions

Step 1:
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2:
Pour half of the uncooked ziti into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 3:
Top with half of the marinara sauce, half of the ricotta cheese (drop by spoonfuls), and half of the shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle with half of the Italian herbs if using.
Step 4:
Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and herbs.
Step 5:
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours or on LOW for 5 hours, until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted.
Step 6:
Turn off the heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
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My family enjoys gathering around the table to share this meal especially on busy weeknights when time is tight.

Required Tools

Slow cooker (4–6 quart), measuring cups and spoons, spatula or spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (ricotta, mozzarella) and gluten (pasta). Check sauce and cheese labels for hidden allergens if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 470, Total Fat: 16 g, Carbohydrates: 60 g, Protein: 23 g per serving

A close-up of cheesy Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, the Italian comfort food smells amazing fresh from the slow cooker. Pin It
A close-up of cheesy Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, the Italian comfort food smells amazing fresh from the slow cooker. | plumbrine.com

This baked ziti is a perfect blend of ease and taste for any busy night. Enjoy this comforting dish with your loved ones!

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use a different pasta type?

Yes, penne or rigatoni work well as substitutes for ziti, maintaining a similar texture and holding the sauce nicely.

→ How do I prevent sticking in the cooker?

Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray before layering ingredients to avoid sticking and ensure easy serving.

→ Can I add protein to this dish?

Adding cooked Italian sausage or ground beef in the first layer boosts protein and adds savory richness.

→ What’s the best way to layer the ingredients?

Layer half the dry pasta, followed by half the marinara, ricotta in spoonfuls, mozzarella, and herbs, then repeat the layers to finish.

→ How long should I let it rest after cooking?

Let the dish sit covered for 10 minutes after turning off the heat; this helps the casserole set and flavors to meld.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Layered pasta with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and herbs cooked low and slow for tender results.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
150 min
Total Duration
160 min
Recipe Creator Harper Quinn


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Italian-American

Output 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Meat-Free

What You’ll Need

Pasta

01 1 lb dry ziti pasta (uncooked)

Sauces & Dairy

01 24 oz marinara sauce
02 2 cups ricotta cheese
03 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Seasoning

01 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare slow cooker: Spray the interior of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 02

First layer assembly: Add half of the uncooked ziti to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 03

Add first layers of sauce and cheese: Top the pasta with half of the marinara sauce, half of the ricotta cheese in spoonfuls, then half of the shredded mozzarella cheese; sprinkle half of the Italian herbs if desired.

Step 04

Repeat layering: Layer the remaining ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Italian herbs in the same order.

Step 05

Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours 30 minutes or on LOW for 5 hours until the pasta is tender and cheese has melted.

Step 06

Rest before serving: Turn off the heat and let the casserole sit, covered, for 10 minutes to set before serving.

Essential Tools

  • Slow cooker (4–6 quart capacity)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula or spoon

Allergy Info

Go through every ingredient for possible allergens. If you’re unsure, please speak with a healthcare professional.
  • Contains dairy (ricotta, mozzarella).
  • Contains gluten (pasta).

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Nutritional content is for general reference—it's not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 470
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Protein: 23 g