Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)
Creamy, cheesy pasta dish with Italian sausage that cooks effortlessly in your slow cooker.
# 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 black 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 cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella (1 cup), Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until evenly 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 - Add half the uncooked ziti pasta, followed by half the browned sausage, half the ricotta mixture, and approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta, and sauce.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove lid and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The ricotta layer stays impossibly creamy instead of drying out like it sometimes does in the oven
- You can assemble it in the morning and forget about it until dinner time
02 -
- Every slow cooker runs differently, so check at 3 hours to prevent mushy pasta
- The resting period is not optional—it needs time to firm up or you'll have a delicious mess on your plate
03 -
- Mix an egg into the ricotta for an extra creamy layer that holds together better
- Check your marinara sauce label if you're avoiding soy or nuts