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If you enjoy classic Italian comfort food, this slow cooker baked ziti delivers the familiar flavors of baked ziti with the convenience of a crockpot. It’s perfect for busy weeknights—minimal prep, plenty of sauce, meat, and cheese, and a comforting finish the whole family will love.
This recipe uses Italian seasoning and hearty marinara, so the dish stays rich and flavorful even when you’re not home all day. Serve with garlic bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
- Meat: 1 lb ground Italian sausage (adds great flavor)
- Onion: 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced
- Seasonings: 2 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried basil
- Tomatoes: 28 oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes
- Sauce: 24 oz marinara sauce (your favorite jarred sauce works)
- Liquid: 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
- Pasta: 13 oz ziti (uncooked); other short pasta works too
- Cheese: 1 cup shredded mozzarella
How to make this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
1. Brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
2. Transfer the cooked sausage to a large slow cooker. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, dried basil, salt, pepper, marinara sauce, and water or broth. Stir to combine.
3. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
4. Near the end of the cooking time, switch the slow cooker to HIGH and stir in the uncooked ziti. Cook an additional 16–35 minutes, checking every few minutes until the pasta reaches your desired doneness—timing varies by slow cooker.
5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the pasta, stir once melted, and serve hot.
Tips and tricks for slow cooker recipes with pasta:
Can you cook pasta in a slow cooker?
Yes. Add uncooked pasta near the end of the cook time and increase the heat to HIGH. Because slow cookers heat differently, the pasta can take as little as 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes to finish. Check every 3–5 minutes the first time you try this method to determine your cooker’s timing.
Why add water or chicken broth?
Pasta needs enough liquid to absorb and soften. The added water or broth ensures the pasta cooks through and the sauce stays saucy rather than drying out.
Make clean-up easier
Line the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner for quick clean-up. Remove and discard the liner after serving, then give the cooker a quick wipe—no heavy scrubbing required.
More Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes
- Stuffed Shells – Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 28 oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
- 13 oz ziti pasta (uncooked)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
- Place the sausage in a slow cooker and add the diced onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, marinara, seasonings, and water or broth. Stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 7 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
- Switch the cooker to HIGH and stir in the uncooked ziti. Cook 16–35 minutes, checking until the pasta is tender. Top with mozzarella and stir until melted. Serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 98 g |
Protein: 40 g |
Fat: 44 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Quick ideas for making dinner easier:
- Use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up.
- Swap water for low-sodium chicken broth for extra flavor.
- Try different short pasta shapes if you don’t have ziti on hand.
- Serve with garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.
If you try this recipe, tag your photo on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and share how it turned out!