Hearty Homestyle Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe – Fuss-Free Comfort

Bubbling cheese, savory pasta, and rich sauce come together in this effortless slow cooker baked ziti that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Weekend comfort food meets weeknight convenience in this hearty Italian-inspired dish.

Tender pasta nestles between layers of melted mozzarella and robust marinara sauce, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies every time.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can produce such a delectable dinner with barely any hands-on time.

The slow cooker works magic, allowing complex flavors to develop and meld seamlessly throughout the cooking process.

Every bite promises a perfect balance of noodles, sauce, and gooey cheese that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s find out this foolproof recipe and transform your dinner routine with minimal prep and maximum deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 505 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients Needed for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty flavor and protein, choose lean cuts for less grease and better texture.
• Ziti Pasta: Classic Italian pasta shape that holds sauce perfectly, select high-quality dried pasta for best results.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base that adds luxurious texture and subtle sweetness, opt for fresh, smooth ricotta.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating those irresistible cheesy strings, select whole milk variety for maximum creaminess.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty depth to the dish, choose freshly grated for most intense flavor.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and helps create a cohesive casserole texture, use fresh room temperature eggs.

• Pasta Sauce: Provides foundational flavor, select high-quality jarred sauce or homemade for best taste.
• Tomato Sauce: Enhances overall tomato profile and moisture, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
• Fresh Basil: Adds bright, herbal notes and fresh aroma, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that elevate and balance all flavors, use freshly ground black pepper.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release and prevents sticking, choose neutral flavor spray.

Kitchen Tools for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Slow cooker: Essential for creating this delicious one-pot meal with minimal effort.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and developing rich flavor before adding to the dish.
• Large mixing bowls: Needed for combining ricotta mixture, sauce, and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Crucial for accurately portioning out ingredients like cheese and sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring and layering ingredients in the slow cooker.
• Cheese grater: Helpful if using block Parmesan or mozzarella that needs shredding.
• Non-stick cooking spray: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents ingredients from sticking.

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Meat Preparation

Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces. Once cooked, drain excess fat and set aside.

• Cheese Mixture

Blend ricotta cheese with eggs and fresh basil, creating a creamy herb-infused base.

• Sauce Foundation

Create a rich sauce by combining tomato pasta sauce and plain tomato sauce in a separate bowl.

• Slow Cooker Setup

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a layer of sauce at the bottom to prevent sticking.

• Layering Magic

Begin building layers by adding ziti pasta, ricotta mixture, Parmesan cheese, and ground beef. Repeat these layers for depth of flavor.

• Cooking Process

Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours until pasta becomes tender and ingredients merge together beautifully.

• Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top during the last ten minutes of cooking, allowing it to melt and create a golden, bubbling surface.

• Serving

Dish out hot, directly from the slow cooker onto plates, revealing a mouthwatering Italian-inspired comfort meal.

Flavor Twists for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Trade ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or even plant-based crumbles to create a unique flavor profile that suits your dietary preferences.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses to add depth and richness to your ziti.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by mixing in chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers between layers for added color and vitamins.
• Kick the heat level up a notch by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or some diced jalapeños to give the dish a spicy twist that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Prep all ingredients the night before and store in the refrigerator, then simply assemble and start the slow cooker in the morning for an effortless dinner solution.

Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Family Feast Companion: Pair this hearty ziti with a crisp green salad topped with Italian vinaigrette for a balanced meal that adds freshness to the rich pasta dish.
• Bread Lover's Delight: Serve warm garlic breadsticks or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the comfort food experience.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which beautifully enhances the tomato and beef notes in the ziti.
• Veggie Sidekick: Roast some seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus as a colorful and nutritious accompaniment that brings extra texture and nutrition to the meal.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Storage Guide

• Smart Portioning: Divide leftovers into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks. Each portion stays fresh and delicious for easy reheating.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual servings or entire casserole tightly in aluminum foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before warming in microwave or oven.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store remaining ziti in sealed containers for 3-4 days maximum. Always use clean utensils when handling to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating Perfection: Splash a tablespoon of water or extra sauce when warming to keep pasta moist and prevent drying. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain original creamy texture.

Ultimate Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Home cooks adore this hearty slow cooker baked ziti recipe that combines rich pasta, melted cheeses, and savory marinara sauce. Pasta enthusiasts will savor each comforting bite of this classic Italian-American dish you can easily prepare with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 16 oz (454 g) ziti pasta
• 2 large eggs
• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 cups (200 g) Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 jars pasta sauce
• 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
• ⅓ cup (20 g) basil, fresh and chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sauté ground beef in skillet over medium heat, breaking into fine crumbles and draining excess fat.
2. Cheese Mixture: Whisk ricotta with eggs and finely chopped basil until smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Sauce Composition: Blend tomato pasta sauce and plain tomato sauce in a mixing bowl.
4. Slow Cooker Setup: Lightly coat interior with non-stick spray, then spread initial sauce layer across bottom.
5. First Layer Assembly: Arrange dried ziti across sauce base, evenly spread half of ricotta mixture, sprinkle Parmesan, and distribute half of cooked beef.
6. Final Layer Construction: Repeat pasta and cheese layering, topping with remaining sauce, ensuring complete ingredient coverage.
7. Cooking Process: Cover and cook on high setting for 2-3 hours until pasta reaches optimal tenderness, maintaining moisture and flavor integrity.
8. Cheese Finishing: During final ten minutes, generously scatter mozzarella across top layer, allowing complete melting.
9. Serving Recommendation: Plate immediately, ensuring each portion captures the rich, multi-dimensional flavor profile of the dish.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Use dried ziti to maintain structural integrity and prevent mushy texture during slow cooking.
• Cheese Layering Technique: Spread ricotta mixture evenly to ensure consistent flavor and moisture throughout the dish.
• Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat to prevent greasy consistency and reduce overall calorie content.
• Melting Moment: Add mozzarella in final 10 minutes to achieve perfect golden, stretchy cheese topping without overcooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 505
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg