Slow Cooker Ziti is made entirely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same great flavor!
My favorite dinner is one that I can throw together in the slow cooker, and the whole family ends up loving.
Yesterday morning, I added all the ingredients for this meal together in a matter of minutes. I was able to spend the entire day outside, and then come in around dinner, and serve this yummy dish!
The whole family loved it, and since it made tons, my hubby was able to bring it for lunch the next day as well!
When I was originally thinking about the pasta cooking itself in the liquid, I was a little worried it would turn mushy, however, the noodles were cooked perfectly!!
Best of all, you can freeze the leftovers for another meal down the road!!!
Ingredients needed for this Slow Cooker Ziti:
Ground turkey (or beef)
Onion, diced
Italian seasoning
Salt
Ground pepper
Garlic powder
Pasta sauce
Ricotta cheese
Egg whites
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese, grated
Ziti pasta, uncooked
How to prepare:
Spray your slow cooker, or line it with a Reynold’s liner. This will make clean up much easier!!
In a pan over medium heat, cook the turkey and onion together until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic.
Add in the 2 jars of pasta sauce.
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.
On the bottom of the slow cooker, pour 2 cups of the meat mixture onto the bottom evenly.
Pour half the uncooked noodles on top, followed by half of the cheese mixture.
Next, pour 2 more cups of meat mixture on top, followed by remaining noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and lastly, the remaining sauce.
Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low about 4-5 hours, or until noodles are tender.
During the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top and allow to melt completely prior to serving!
Check out these other great slow cooker recipes:
Melt In Your Mouth Slow Cooker Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
With the right ingredients and this recipe, you can enjoy delicious slow cooker ziti right at home. Print or save the recipe below and be sure to add it to your next meal plan!
Slow Cooker Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion *diced
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 jars pasta sauce *25 oz jars
- 15 oz Ricotta cheese
- 2 egg whites
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese *shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese *grated
- 16 oz Ziti pasta *uncooked
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker, or line it with a Reynold’s liner. This will make clean up much easier!!
- In a pan over medium heat, cook the turkey and onion together until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic.
- Add in the 2 jars of pasta sauce.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.
- In the bottom of the slow cooker, pour 2 cups of the meat mixture onto the bottom evenly.
- Pour half the uncooked noodles on top, followed by half of the cheese mixture.
- Next, pour 2 more cups of meat mixture on top, followed by remaining noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and lastly, the remaining sauce.
- Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low about 4-5 hours, or until noodles are tender.
- During the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top and allow to melt completely prior to serving!
Cynthia
Can this be prepared the night before, already layered?
Kristin
Sure! Just pop it into the refrigerator until ready to bake. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time since it will be going into the oven cold 🙂
Christa
What are the reheat instructions after you freeze?
Kristin
I assume after freezing the leftovers? If so, thaw in a refrigerator and add some more sauce before reheating. I add about 1 cup sauce to it to keep it moist before popping into the microwave. You can also put it in a pan with added sauce and pop it into the oven at 350 for about 20-25 minutes
Meredith
How many people does this meal serve?
Also, would you recommend doubling this recipe if needed? If so, would you suggest doubling every ingredient?
Kristin
This serves about 8-10 people! If doubling, you would double all ingredients, cook time would be the same though!
Nikk Adams
Do I have tonuse ricotta cheese. My family doesn’t like it.
Kristin
You can also use cottage cheese or marscapone cheese in place of the ricotta! Enjoy!