The Ultimate Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Slow cooker baked ziti emerges as a game-changing culinary solution for busy households craving authentic Italian-inspired comfort.

This magical one-pot wonder combines pasta, robust meats, and rich cheeses into a seamless, stress-free meal.

Layers of melted dairy and perfectly seasoned ingredients create a harmonious blend that feels like a warm embrace.

Convenient preparation means you can assemble everything quickly and let the slow cooker work its upgradeative magic.

Weekend meal planning becomes a breeze with this crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal supervision.

Family members will appreciate the deeply satisfying flavors and comforting textures that emerge from this simple cooking method.

Prepare to revolutionize your dinner routine with this incredible hands-off approach.

Everything You Need for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor and texture to the dish.
• Ricotta Cheese, Eggs: Creamy mixture providing richness and binding for the pasta layers.
• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Classic Italian cheeses that offer sharp and melty characteristics.

• Ziti Pasta: Traditional Italian pasta shape perfect for layered casserole dishes.
• Tomato Pasta Sauce, Plain Tomato Sauce: Combination creates a robust, well-balanced sauce base.
• Fresh Basil: Adds bright, herbal notes to enhance overall flavor profile.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking in slow cooker.

How to Pull Off Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook of ground beef until fully browned. Break the meat into small pieces while cooking. Drain excess fat and set meat aside.

Step 2: Prepare Ricotta Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Eggs
• Chopped fresh basil

Step 3: Create Sauce Blend

• Tomato pasta sauce
• Plain tomato sauce

Step 4: Prepare Slow Cooker Base

Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 2 of sauce evenly across the bottom.

Step 5: Layer First Pasta Level

Add a layer of dried ziti pasta. Spoon half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese.

Step 6: Add First Meat Layer

Distribute half of the cooked ground beef over the cheese layer.

Step 7: Repeat Layering

• Dried ziti pasta
• Remaining ricotta mixture
• Parmesan cheese
• Remaining ground beef
• Remaining sauce

Step 8: Slow Cook

Cover with lid and set slow cooker to HIGH. Cook for 2-3 hours until pasta is soft and ingredients are well combined.

Step 9: Add Mozzarella Topping

10 minutes before serving, sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover and let cheese melt.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Serve hot directly from the slow cooker into bowls or plates.

Best Tricks for Ziti in a Slow Cooker

• Brown Meat Perfectly: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Layer Strategically: Create even layers to guarantee each bite contains a delicious mix of pasta, cheese, and sauce for consistent taste throughout.
• Prevent Sticking: Use non-stick cooking spray generously and ensure complete coverage of slow cooker interior to avoid difficult cleanup.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Add mozzarella in the final minutes of cooking for ultimate gooey, stretchy cheese coverage without overcooking.
• Pasta Texture Trick: Check pasta doneness early to avoid mushy results, ensuring al dente texture by monitoring cooking time closely.

Preserving and Reheating Baked Ziti Right

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled ziti into airtight containers within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep portions separate to maintain optimal freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing: Wrap individual servings in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Label with the date and contents. Frozen ziti will maintain quality for about 3 months. Avoid refreezing after initial thawing to preserve texture and flavor.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated ziti in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Use 70% power and stir every 30 seconds until heated through.

Perfect Pairings for Your Baked Ziti

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty ziti with a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the creamy cheese and enhances the tomato sauce's depth.
• Create a Crisp Side Salad: Toss together a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta's heaviness and provide a light, tangy contrast.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up extra sauce, adding a crunchy texture that perfectly matches the creamy, soft ziti layers.
• Match with Sparkling Water: Offer a refreshing, palate-cleansing sparkling water with a slice of lemon to help cut through the dish's richness and provide a clean, crisp finish.

Ways to Remix Your Slow Cooker Ziti

• Veggie Volcano: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mixed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian option.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, replace basil with cilantro, and mix in taco seasoning to create a zestier southwestern-inspired baked ziti.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and add dried oregano and roasted red peppers for a Mediterranean-influenced version.
• Chicken Chili Charm: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef, mix in mild green chili sauce, and top with pepper jack cheese for a lighter protein alternative.

Why Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Steals the Show

• Craft Effortless Comfort: Slow cooker ziti eliminates complex cooking techniques, allowing anyone to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen skills and maximum relaxation.
• Layer-by-Layer Flavor Explosion: Each carefully constructed layer delivers a perfect balance of meaty ground beef, creamy ricotta, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheeses that blend into a harmonious taste experience.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Simply assemble ingredients, set the slow cooker, and walk away while the dish transforms into a bubbling, rich pasta masterpiece without constant monitoring or precise timing.
• Crowd-Pleasing Meal Solution: This hearty ziti serves six people quickly, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone craves a satisfying, crowd-loving classic Italian-American comfort food.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti delivers comfort wrapped in cheesy Italian-American goodness. Layers of pasta, robust marinara, and melted mozzarella create a hearty meal that welcomes you home with warmth and flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Pasta:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 16 ounces (454 grams) dried ziti pasta

Cheese and Binding Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups (200 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 2 jars pasta sauce
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
• ⅓ cup (20 grams) chopped fresh basil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Brown of ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling it into fine pieces. Remove excess fat and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese with 2 eggs, incorporating freshly chopped basil for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Create sauce by combining tomato pasta sauce with plain tomato sauce in a separate container.
4. Prepare slow cooker by lightly spraying interior with non-stick cooking spray. Distribute 2 of sauce evenly across bottom surface.
5. Construct first layer using dried ziti pasta, covering sauce base completely. Spread half of ricotta cheese mixture uniformly across pasta.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over ricotta layer. Distribute half of cooked ground beef across this section.
7. Repeat layering process: additional pasta, remaining ricotta mixture, another Parmesan cheese, and remaining ground beef.
8. Pour remaining sauce over top layer, ensuring complete coverage of ingredients.
9. Cover slow cooker and cook on high heat setting for 2-3 hours until pasta reaches desired tenderness.
10. Ten minutes before serving, generously scatter shredded mozzarella cheese across top layer. Replace lid and allow cheese to melt completely.
11. Once cooking completes, serve immediately in individual portions, ensuring each serving contains a balanced mix of ingredients.

Notes

• Untraditional slow cooker method transforms classic baked ziti into an effortless, hands-off comfort meal.
• Layering ingredients strategically ensures even cooking and maximizes flavor distribution throughout the dish.
• Ground beef adds substantial protein while ricotta creates creamy, luxurious texture between pasta layers.
• Fresh basil brings unexpected brightness, cutting through rich tomato sauce and cheese combinations.
• Cooking on high heat allows pasta to absorb sauces efficiently, creating perfectly tender noodles without boiling separately.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 634 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 960mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 66g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 105mg