Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)

Creamy, cheesy pasta with Italian sausage cooks effortlessly in your slow cooker for an easy comforting meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed

→ Pasta

02 - 1 lb dry ziti pasta

→ Dairy

03 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables & Sauces

06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 48 oz marinara sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.
04 - Coat the slow cooker insert thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
05 - Begin layering: add half the uncooked ziti, followed by half the browned sausage, half the cheese mixture, and approximately 2 cups marinara sauce. Repeat with remaining pasta, sausage, cheese filling, and sauce.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top layer.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy pasta.
08 - Remove lid and let the ziti rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving—this allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all those Italian flavors while you go about your day
  • That moment when you lift the lid and the cheese is perfectly melted and golden is pure joy
02 -
  • Every slow cooker runs differently, so start checking at the 3 hour mark, because overcooked pasta will turn to mush
  • The resting period is absolutely essential for the layers to hold together when you serve it
03 -
  • Don't be tempted to lift the lid too often during cooking, each peek adds about 15 minutes to your time
  • If the sauce looks too thick after cooking, stir in a splash of water before that final rest period

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