Comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable Version)

Tender pasta layered with seasoned sausage, creamy ricotta, and bubbly mozzarella in rich marinara sauce.

# 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 (2 jars)
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

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink throughout. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until fully 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 - Layer half the uncooked ziti pasta evenly in the slow cooker. Top with half the browned sausage, followed by half the ricotta mixture. Pour approximately 2 cups marinara sauce over the layer.
06 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, sausage, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce. Ensure pasta is evenly coated. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours. Pasta should be tender and cheese melted and bubbly. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy texture.
08 - Remove lid and allow ziti to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This sets the texture and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • That moment when you lift the lid and the cheese is bubbling like magic
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
  • Don't be tempted to cook the pasta first—it will turn to mush in the slow cooker
  • Every slow cooker runs differently, so start checking at 3 hours
  • The resting period seems unnecessary but it makes serving so much easier
03 -
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add ¼ cup water to the bottom layer
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well in the microwave with a splash of water

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