Here’s a full, comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe – creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a hands-off dinner:

🥘 Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Ingredients

Pasta & Sauce:

• 1 lb (450 g) uncooked ziti (or penne/ridged pasta)

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, Italian sausage, or a mix

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 jar (24 oz / ~700 g) marinara or pasta sauce (or homemade)

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

Cheese Mixture:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese for lighter option)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 egg

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped

For Layering & Topping:

• 2 additional cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Meat Sauce:

   • In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef/sausage until fully cooked.

   • Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.

   • Stir in marinara, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.

2. Mix the Cheese Filling:

   • In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, egg, and parsley. Mix well.

3. Assemble in the Slow Cooker:

   • Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.

   • Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.

   • Add ⅓ of the uncooked ziti (straight from the box – no boiling).

   • Top with ⅓ of the sauce.

   • Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture.

   • Repeat layers (pasta → sauce → cheese filling) until ingredients are used up.

   • Finish with sauce and sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella + ½ cup Parmesan on top.

4. Slow Cook:

   • Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours (or HIGH for 2–3 hours).

   • Pasta should be tender but not mushy. Avoid overcooking.

5. Serve:

   • Let rest for 10 minutes with the lid off to set before scooping.

   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

🍴 Tips & Variations

• Creamier version: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or cream cheese into the sauce.

• Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add sautéed zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms.

• Extra flavor: Add a layer of pepperoni slices or Italian sausage rounds in between.

• Make-ahead: Assemble the layers in the slow cooker insert, refrigerate overnight, then cook the next day.

This dish comes out bubbling, cheesy, and just like oven-baked ziti – but with the convenience of your slow cooker.