Comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable)
Cozy Italian-American pasta with tender ziti, rich tomato sauce, and three cheeses layered with savory sausage.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage, 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
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 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, mixing 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 - Arrange half of the uncooked ziti over the sauce. Distribute half of the browned sausage mixture, followed by half of the ricotta mixture. Pour approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce over the layer.
06 - Repeat layering with remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Top evenly with the reserved 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove the lid and allow the dish to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This sets the texture for easier portioning. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The slow cooker method means the pasta absorbs all that sauce flavor while staying perfectly tender
- Its a complete meal that feeds a crowd with almost zero active cooking time
02 -
- The resting period is absolutely crucial or you'll end up with soup instead of structured baked ziti
- Every slow cooker runs differently, so check at three hours to prevent mushy pasta
03 -
- Mixing an egg into the ricotta makes the cheese layer more stable and creamy
- Quality marinara sauce matters since it provides most of the seasoning for the entire dish