I just love creamy, cheesy baked ziti, and making it in the crockpot is so simple! This Crockpot Baked Ziti recipe is made with a delicious Italian seasoned pasta sauce with three different kinds of cheeses and hearty sausage. My whole family totally loves it!
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Ingredients for Baked Ziti in a Crockpot
If you’re searching for a hands-off dinner, this crockpot version of classic baked ziti should do the trick! Cheese and sauce-covered pasta provides a hearty meal the whole family will love. It wouldn’t shock me if this delicious slow cooker ziti recipe became a family favorite!
- Italian Sausage: I used hot Italian sausage (love a little spice!), but sweet or mild also work. If you can only find sausage in casings, you’ll need to cut and remove the casings before crumbling the sausage.
- Onion + Garlic: Create a savory and earthy base of flavor for the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds classic Italian flavor to the dish.
- Marinara Sauce: Adds moisture to the dish and that classic tomato flavor. Use your favorite store-bought, or do what I did and make your own homemade marinara sauce.
- Broth: Low-sodium beef broth adds moisture and umami flavor to the dish. It helps cook the pasta. Chicken or vegetable broth also work in a pinch.
- Pasta: I used ziti (it’s called baked ziti for a reason), but any tubular pasta will work.
- Cheese: A combination of ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a creamy and cheesy pasta dish!
Variations to Try
- You can use a different sausage, such as chicken or turkey, or try ground beef, chicken, or turkey.
- For a creamy sauce, swap half of the broth for heavy cream.
- Finely chop some carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers and add them to the sauce to sneak in some veggies.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a baking pan in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 30 minutes.
How to Freeze
Freeze crockpot baked ziti in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love this hearty pasta with garlic bread and my favorite copycat Olive Garden salad. Simple and delicious!!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
It’s important not to overcook the pasta; otherwise, it will turn out mushy. I recommend checking on the pasta earlier rather than later to avoid this.
Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- ½ onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 36 ounces marinara sauce (1½ jars)
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta (1 box)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese optional, for topping
- Fresh basil optional, for topping
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a very large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Once heated, add in the sausage and use a wooden spoon to break it up into chunks1 pound Italian sausage
- Brown the meat.
- Add in the onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning, sautéing until the onions are soft.½ onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pour the marinara sauce and broth over the meat and stir until combined.36 ounces marinara sauce, 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker covering it completely.
- Top with half of the uncooked pasta.1 pound dry ziti pasta
- Drop 4-5 spoonfuls of ricotta over pasta.1 cup ricotta cheese
- Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, the remaining pasta, and the remaining ricotta, and ½ cup mozzarella.
- Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
- Cover and cook on high for 1½-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours.
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Serve with grated parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.Grated Parmesan cheese, Fresh basil
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- After cooking the sausage, drain any excess fat to avoid making the ziti greasy.
- Choose a short pasta shape; otherwise, you’ll have to stir the pasta frequently to prevent sticking.
- Check the pasta on the lower end of the cook time to avoid mushy pasta.
Nutrition Information
How to Make Crockpot Baked Ziti Step by Step
Cook the Sausage: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a very large skillet or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Once heated, add in 1 pound of Italian sausage and use a wooden spoon to break it up into chunks. Brown the meat. Add in ½ of a chopped onion, 3 minced cloves of garlic, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, sautéing until the onions are soft. Pour 36 ounces (1½ jars) of marinara sauce and 1½ cups of low-sodium beef broth over the meat and stir until combined.
Fill the Crockpot: Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker covering it completely. Top with half of a pound of uncooked ziti. Drop 4-5 spoonfuls of ricotta over pasta. Sprinkle ½ cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
Layer the Ziti: Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, the remaining half pound of pasta, the remaining half cup of ricotta, and ½ cup of mozzarella. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
Cook the Ziti: Cover and cook on high for 1½-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours. Top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.
Yes! The key to cooking pasta in a crockpot is not to cook it for too long; otherwise, it might become mushy.
There’s no need to add any egg to the ricotta cheese, but you definitely can add an egg if you want! It will help thicken up and bind the ricotta.
I recommend keeping the lid on the crockpot tightly closed right up to the end. This seals in moisture.
More Crockpot Pasta Recipes To Try
- Crockpot Goulash
- Crockpot Stuffed Shells
- …Browse all our Crockpot Recipes!
Hi/ can I make this with NO MEAT??
would I just start layering the other ingredients? Thank you
Yes, or you can use vegan sausage or cooked lentils in place of the sausage, if you’re looking for a different protein source.