If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that almost feels like a warm hug in a bowl, you’ll absolutely love this Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe. It’s super easy to throw together and lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting, making dinner stress-free without sacrificing any of that rich, cheesy goodness we all crave. Packed with layers of flavorful Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and tender pasta simmered in a savory marinara sauce, this dish always brings a crowd-pleasing dinner to the table. Trust me, once you try this Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe, it’ll quickly become a go-to for lazy weeknights or feeding a hungry family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in this recipe. From the juicy sausage to the freshly grated cheeses, you’ll find that every item contributes to making this Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe a standout dish.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity richness that helps brown the sausage perfectly.
- Italian sausage: The star protein, offering savory depth and a little spice depending on your choice.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and aroma to the sauce as it softens.
- Garlic: Provides essential bold, earthy undertones that elevate every bite.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that ties the flavors together beautifully.
- Marinara sauce: The tangy tomato base that’s full of flavor and color.
- Low-sodium beef broth: Helps cook the pasta right in the crockpot and adds savory richness.
- Ziti pasta: Perfect for soaking up sauce, but you can swap any short pasta shape you like.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess and a delicate, slightly sweet flavor that contrasts the zesty sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts to a stretchy, golden topping that everyone loves.
- Parmesan cheese (optional): For a salty, nutty finish when sprinkled on top before serving.
- Fresh basil (optional): Adds a pop of freshness and color that brightens the dish.
How to Make Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe
Step 1: Brown the sausage
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Brown it thoroughly for that deep, caramelized flavor, then drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
Step 2: Sauté the aromatics
Next, toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, releasing a fragrant aroma that signals the base of your sauce is coming together nicely.
Step 3: Combine sauce and broth
Pour marinara sauce and beef broth into the skillet, stirring well to combine with the meat and aromatics. This mixture is the heart of your baked ziti and will infuse the pasta with flavor as it cooks.
Step 4: Prepare the crockpot
Give your slow cooker a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy clean-up and to prevent anything from sticking to the sides.
Step 5: Layer the ingredients
Spread a generous layer of the meat sauce across the bottom of your crockpot, making sure it covers the base evenly. Then add half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
Step 6: Add cheeses in layers
Dollop 4 to 5 spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta, followed by a sprinkle of ½ cup mozzarella. These creamy layers will melt into gooey deliciousness as the dish cooks.
Step 7: Repeat layering
Repeat your layering with the remaining sauce, pasta, and ricotta, finishing with another ½ cup of mozzarella spread over the top layer. This keeps each bite perfectly balanced between pasta, sauce, and cheese.
Step 8: Cook low and slow
Seal the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 1½ to 2 hours, or on low for 2 to 4 hours. Keep an eye on it as the lower cook time approaches to ensure the pasta doesn’t become too soft or mushy.
Step 9: Add finishing mozzarella topping
When the cooking time is up, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese across the top. Close the lid again and let it melt for a few minutes, creating that irresistible golden, stretchy cheese layer everyone loves.
Step 10: Garnish and serve
Once your Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe is done, it’s ready to serve with an optional sprinkle of grated Parmesan and a handful of fresh basil leaves for a pop of flavor and color.
How to Serve Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese generously on top to add a nutty, salty crunch. Fresh basil leaves bring a burst of herbal brightness, balancing out the rich cheese and hearty meat sauce.
Side Dishes
This baked ziti is perfect paired with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette to cut through the richness. For extra comfort, garlic bread or a warm crusty baguette is a fantastic choice to mop up every last bit of sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving it family-style right from the crockpot for a cozy, communal vibe, or portion it into individual ramekins for a charming presentation. Adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil can also jazz up the final dish with an added kick or shimmer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for about 3 to 4 days, making for easy next-day meals or quick reheats during busy weeks.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, this baked ziti freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, making sure to cool it completely before freezing. It will last up to 3 months, perfect for busy days when you need comfort food in a flash.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or thawed baked ziti in the microwave or the oven until warmed through. Cover with foil if baking to keep it from drying out, and add a little extra mozzarella on top for that fresh-out-of-the-oven cheesy delight.
FAQs
Can I use different meat instead of Italian sausage?
Absolutely! Ground beef, turkey, or even chicken can be great substitutes if you prefer a milder flavor or a leaner protein. Just adjust the seasoning to keep the savory balance.
Do I need to pre-cook the pasta?
No need to pre-cook it! The dry ziti will cook right in the crockpot with the sauce and broth, soaking up all those delicious flavors as it simmers to tender perfection.
What cheese can I substitute if I don’t have ricotta?
You can try using cottage cheese or mascarpone as a creamy alternative to ricotta. Both will add richness but have slightly different textures and flavors.
How long can I leave it in the crockpot before serving?
It’s best to serve it right after cooking to enjoy the perfect pasta texture. However, you can keep it on the ‘warm’ setting for up to an hour before serving without losing too much quality.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Skip the Italian sausage and add extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. Consider adding plant-based sausage substitutes, too, for a hearty vegetarian version of this Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe truly takes the stress out of meal prep while delivering all the comforting flavors you crave in a baked pasta dish. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights but delicious enough to impress company. Give it a try, and I bet it will quickly become one of your favorite slow cooker go-tos!
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Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Crockpot Baked Ziti is a comforting and flavorful Italian-American pasta dish made with layers of ziti, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot for an easy, hands-off meal. The result is a rich, cheesy, and hearty casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed, sweet or mild)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 36 oz marinara sauce (1½ jars)
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 lb dry ziti pasta (any short shaped pasta works)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh basil (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Add the olive oil to a very large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to prepare for browning the sausage.
- Brown the sausage: Add the sausage, breaking it into chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and drain any excess fat from the pan to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook until the onions become soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add sauce and broth: Pour in the marinara sauce and low-sodium beef broth, stirring to combine with the meat and onion mixture to create the meat sauce base.
- Prepare crockpot: Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup later.
- Layer meat sauce: Spread a layer of the meat sauce evenly in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Add pasta layer: Top the meat sauce with half of the uncooked pasta, ensuring it covers the sauce completely.
- Add ricotta dollops: Drop 4-5 spoonfuls of ricotta cheese across the pasta layer to add creamy pockets.
- Top with mozzarella: Sprinkle ½ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta.
- Repeat layers: Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by the remaining pasta, remaining ricotta cheese, and another ½ cup of mozzarella. Finally, spread the remaining meat sauce over the top to coat everything thoroughly.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 1½ to 2 hours or on low for 2 to 4 hours. Check near the lower end of cooking time to ensure the pasta is cooked through but not mushy.
- Add final cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the cooked pasta mixture to melt on top.
- Serve: Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired and serve warm for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape as a substitute for ziti, such as penne or rigatoni.
- Adjust cooking times based on your crockpot’s heat settings to avoid overcooking the pasta.
- For a spicier dish, substitute sweet Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage.
- Optional toppings such as Parmesan and fresh basil add extra flavor and freshness.
- Ensure pasta is fully covered with sauce to cook evenly in the crockpot.
