Save It A hearty, comforting pasta dish featuring tender ziti, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted cheese—all made effortlessly in the slow cooker with just five simple ingredients.
I first made this baked ziti on a busy weeknight when I wanted something easy but still special for my family. Everyone loved coming home to the irresistible aroma, and the leftovers tasted even better the next day!
Ingredients
- Pasta: 450 g (1 lb) uncooked ziti or penne pasta
- Sauce: 800 ml (about 28 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- Cheeses: 375 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese, 225 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, 60 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- Water: 470 ml (2 cups) water
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker:
- Lightly grease the inside of a large slow cooker with nonstick spray or a little olive oil.
- Layer Pasta:
- Pour half of the uncooked ziti into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Layer Sauce:
- Spoon half of the marinara sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Layer Ricotta:
- Dollop and gently spread half of the ricotta cheese over the sauce.
- Add Cheese:
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Repeat Layers:
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Add Water:
- Pour the water evenly over the entire mixture.
- Slow Cook:
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest & Serve:
- Turn off the slow cooker and let the ziti rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving.
Save It My kids love helping layer the pasta and cheese, making this a fun weekend cooking tradition in our house each month.
Required Tools
Slow cooker (5 quart or larger), measuring cups and spoons, large spoon or spatula for layering and serving.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (pasta) and milk (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan). Always check your labels for allergens or cross-contamination risks if needed.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 420 calories, 14 g total fat, 54 g carbohydrates, and 20 g protein.
Save It This baked ziti will be a comfort favorite on your dinner table. Enjoy with salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the pasta from sticking in the slow cooker?
Grease the slow cooker lightly with oil or nonstick spray before layering ingredients. Also, adding water helps cook the pasta evenly and prevents sticking.
- → Can I use different types of pasta for this dish?
Yes, penne or similar tubular pastas work well as they hold sauce nicely and cook evenly during the slow cooking process.
- → Is it necessary to layer the ingredients in a specific order?
Layering helps distribute flavors and cheese evenly. Start with pasta, then sauce, ricotta, and cheeses, then repeat for best results.
- → Can I add meat or vegetables to enhance the flavor?
Absolutely. Cooked ground beef, sausage, or sautéed vegetables can be stirred in before cooking to add heartiness and extra flavor.
- → What is the ideal cooking time and temperature?
Cook on LOW for about 3 hours until pasta is tender and cheese is bubbly. Let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.