This easy, cheesy Crock Pot Baked Ziti is made entirely in the slow cooker and takes only 10 minutes to prep! Classic comfort food at its finest, perfect for those busy weeknights!
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You’re probably wondering why this crockpot meal says baked in the title, right?! Well, although it’s made entirely in the slow cooker, it has the same great flavors of the classic baked version, so I included it in the name! It’s incredibly easy to throw together and uses way less dishes, making clean up a breeze! Use a slow cooker liner and it’ll make clean up even easier!
Why I love this Baked Ziti in a Crockpot:
- Quick and Easy– using only about 10 minutes worth of prep, the crockpot does the rest of the work! Only one pot needed!
- Budget Friendly– using simple ingredients you may already have on hand; this meal is perfect for any budget.
- Flavor Packed– ooey gooey and cheesy, need I say more?!
- Leftovers are just as delicious– leftovers can be reheated in the microwave and are just as tasty as when first made!
Ingredients Needed to make Crock Pot Baked Ziti
For exact ingredient amounts and step by step directions, see printable recipe card below.
- Beef– ground beef, I use 80/20, ground turkey works too
- Onion– I use a yellow onion, white works too, diced
- Italian Seasoning/ Salt/ Black Pepper/ Garlic Powder– these add the flavor to the pasta dish
- Spaghetti Sauce– use your favorite
- Ricotta Cheese– adds to the creamy, cheesiness in this recipe
- Egg Whites– combines everything and acts like a binder
- Mozzarella Cheese– shredded
- Parmesan Cheese– freshly grated Parmesan cheese is best versus shredded
- Ziti Pasta– uncooked
Variations
- You can use Ground Italian Sausage in place of the ground beef or turkey
- Feel free to use Penne pasta in place of the Ziti. If you don’t have either on hand, you can also use spaghetti noodles, just decrease cook time by about 5 minutes.
- Add in some fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, kale, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Change up the cheese to make it your own. You can use any cheeses desired. Asiago is a great addition too!
- Add in some fresh Basil or fresh minced garlic for an added flavor boost.
- If you aren’t a fan of ground beef, turkey, or sausage, you can also use cooked, shredded chicken in this recipe.
How to make Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe
- 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 shredded 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 ricotta 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!
Tips for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
- Make sure you really spray your slow cooker liner thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Ensure that the pasta is fully covered with the sauce so that you don’t get random spots of crunchy pasta from being uncooked.
- Try to avoid using the bags of pre-shredded cheese. They are coated in an additive that prevents clumping and tend to not melt evenly. Fresh is best!
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
- Making ahead: to save on time, you can prepare the ricotta cheese mixture and pasta sauce mixture keeping in separate container in the refrigerator up to 3 days in advance. Once ready to assemble, pull out containers and assemble as directed in recipe.
- To freeze: leftovers can be placed in a freezer safe container once fully cooled for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight and reheat in the microwave until heated through. The pasta will be a bit softer, but still have great flavor!
- Storing leftovers: allow to fully cool and place leftovers in an airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in microwave.
How to serve Easy Baked Ziti
This meal pairs perfectly with a side of vegetables and bread. Our favorite combination is a side salad and our Mini Garlic Monkey Bread. If you’re looking for a great veggie option, try our Garlic and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus or Parmesan Roasted Carrots. For some bread options, you can try our Copycat Black Angus Garlic Bread, Pull Apart Garlic Bread, or Garlic Cheese Crescents.
Crockpot Baked Ziti with Ricotta FAQ’s
Does pasta cook in a slow cooker?
Yes! One of the great things about this recipe is that even the uncooked pasta noodles cook in the slow cooker. They are added to the slow cooker dry along with the rest of the ingredients and cook in the tomato sauce liquid.
What is Ziti versus Penne?
Ziti has a square angle cut and a rectangular shape, while penne have an angled cut that gives them a pointed shape. Other than that, they are quite similar!
What can I use in place of the Ricotta Cheese?
Cottage cheese is a classic substitution for those that either don’t have Ricotta cheese on hand or dislike the texture/flavor.
How do you make Baked Ziti not dry?
Be sure not to overcook this. Since each slow cooker is different, keep an eye on it throughout the day to adjust temperature setting as needed. Once its tender and done, you can move to “keep warm” setting until ready to serve. Also make sure you end with the sauce on top and cheese to fully coat the pasta. This keeps the pasta moist and it won’t get dry.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta– an easy weeknight dinner full of fresh tomatoes, basil, pasta, balsamic vinegar, and topped with seasoned chicken!!
Lemon Spaghetti– an easy dish bursting with refreshing, light flavor! Ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes, this is perfect for those busy weeknights!
Incredible Chicken Piccata Pasta– a light and zesty pasta dish made with lemon juice, capers, and cream. It’s the perfect comfort food dish to enjoy anytime.
Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti– comes together in no time and makes a great side dish! Add in some chicken or shrimp and make it a tasty meal option!
Creamy Sausage Pasta– packed with flavor and comes together using only 5 ingredients! Simple, quick, and a favorite with everyone!
More Crock Pot Recipes to try
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken– a flavorful blend of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and BACON! Effortlessly create a simple, addictive, and flavor-packed meal for any occasion!
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup– a flavor packed, hearty meal that comes together in no time using your slow cooker! Chicken, beans, corn, and more combine into a must try soup!
Mom’s Crockpot Pot Roast– simple to prepare and packed with flavor! Comfort food at its finest! Only 3 ingredients needed!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders– an easy, affordable meal option packed with flavor! Shredded BBQ Chicken on a Hawaiian Roll with some cabbage slaw for an added crunch. Perfect for an appetizer, meal, or tailgating!
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew– a flavorful stew made with shredded chicken, vegetables, and potatoes in a scrumptious broth!
Easy Crock Pot Baked Ziti is a fantastic option for those looking to enjoy a delicious and comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The simplicity of this recipe allows even beginners to create a flavorful dish that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table. With its rich layers of pasta, meaty sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s sure to become a favorite among both family and friends. So why not give it a try? Let your crock pot do all the work while you sit back and reap the rewards of this effortless yet mouthwatering meal.
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Easy Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe
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!
Miche
Can I use 1 whole egg in place of 2 egg whites?
Kristin
Yes! That should work great!! Keep me posted what you think of this and hope you enjoy!!
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!
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!
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
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 🙂