Prepare to say “YUM!” because this Crock Pot Baked Ziti recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort food. Imagine layers of tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a decadent blend of cheeses, all slow-cooked to perfection with minimal effort. What makes this recipe truly stand out isn’t just its incredible flavor straight from the pot, but also how wonderfully it holds up as leftovers. In fact, many people find it tastes even better the next day!
Delicious Crock Pot Baked Ziti: The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Meal
This recipe yields a generous amount of pasta, making it absolutely perfect for a large family dinner, feeding a crowd, or ensuring you have plenty of delicious leftovers for quick lunches throughout the week. We often portion out the extras into individual reusable containers, creating convenient, ready-to-go meals that save precious time on busy days. You might even find yourself, like me, sneaking a cold bite straight from the fridge – it’s that good!
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and the heartwarming combination of two universally loved ingredients: cheese and pasta. There’s an undeniable comfort that comes with a hearty bowl of pasta, especially when it’s infused with rich flavors and smothered in gooey cheese. If you’re searching for an incredibly simple, cheesy, and satisfying crockpot recipe that can easily be made vegetarian, you’ve just found your holy grail.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Life can be hectic, and preparing a wholesome, delicious meal often feels like a monumental task after a long day. That’s where the slow cooker becomes your culinary superhero. This Crock Pot Baked Ziti recipe is designed to simplify your cooking routine without compromising on taste. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- **Effortless Preparation:** With just a few minutes of active prep, you can assemble this entire dish. Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax.
- **Rich, Deep Flavors:** Slow cooking allows the pasta, sauce, and cheeses to meld together beautifully, creating a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve with quicker methods. The ziti absorbs all the deliciousness, resulting in a wonderfully tender and flavorful dish.
- **Ideal for Meal Prep:** As mentioned, this recipe makes a substantial batch. It’s fantastic for meal prepping, giving you nutritious and delicious lunches or dinners ready to heat and eat for days.
- **Family-Friendly:** Baked ziti is a classic crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike will adore the cheesy goodness, making it a guaranteed hit at any dinner table.
- **Versatile & Adaptable:** Whether you prefer a meatless meal or want to add some protein, this recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing for easy customization to suit dietary preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Ingredients for Your Perfect Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Creating this irresistible baked ziti requires a few key ingredients that come together to form a symphony of flavor and texture:
- 16 oz Cottage cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic (dried)
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
- 56 oz Spaghetti Sauce (approximately 2 standard jars)
- 16 oz Ziti pasta (uncooked)
- 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
Essential Recipe Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ziti
Even though this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can elevate your Crock Pot Baked Ziti from great to absolutely exceptional:
- **Customizing with Meat:** While this recipe is designed to be a delightful vegetarian option, it’s easily adaptable for meat lovers. Simply brown a pound of ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey, drain any excess fat, and layer it with the pasta and cheese mixture. You can also opt for a meat-based spaghetti sauce instead of a plain tomato sauce for added flavor without extra steps.
- **Sauce Quantity Matters:** We highly recommend using two jars (approximately 56 ounces total) of your favorite spaghetti or marinara sauce. While one jar can work, the extra sauce ensures the pasta is fully hydrated, incredibly flavorful, and prevents it from drying out, especially important for reheating leftovers.
- **Prevent Sticking:** To make cleanup a breeze, always spray the inside of your slow cooker pot generously with a non-stick cooking spray before adding any ingredients. This simple step will save you time and effort later.
- **Reheating Leftovers:** This baked ziti reheats beautifully in the microwave. For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle a little more shredded mozzarella cheese on top before microwaving. It melts into a gooey, savory layer that makes leftovers feel like a fresh meal.
- **Perfect Pairings:** No baked ziti is complete without a delicious side! We love serving this with our favorite garlic bread for dipping into the rich sauce. A crisp green salad also makes a wonderful accompaniment, adding a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta.
- **Pasta Alternatives:** Can’t find ziti noodles at your local grocery store? No problem! Penne pasta makes an excellent substitute due to its similar shape and ability to hold sauce beautifully. Rigatoni or even elbow macaroni can also work in a pinch.
- **Serving Straight from the Crockpot:** One of the best perks of slow cooking is that your appliance doubles as a serving dish. Serving directly from the crockpot not only looks rustic and inviting but also keeps the ziti wonderfully warm for second helpings.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crock Pot Baked Ziti
Get ready to create a masterpiece with these simple instructions:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley flakes, minced garlic, pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and uniform. This forms the creamy, cheesy layer of your ziti.
- Prepare your slow cooker by greasing the interior with non-stick spray. Pour approximately half of one jar of spaghetti sauce (or about ¼ of the total sauce) into the bottom of the greased crock pot, spreading it evenly. This prevents sticking and creates a flavorful base.
- Layer half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Make sure the pasta is distributed as evenly as possible.
- Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta, gently spreading it.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cottage cheese layer.
- Repeat the layers: pour another half jar of spaghetti sauce, followed by the remaining uncooked pasta, then the rest of the cottage cheese mixture, and finally, another layer of mozzarella.
- Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the very top of the layers, ensuring everything is well covered. This helps the pasta cook properly and keeps it moist.
- Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 3 ½ hours. Resist the urge to lift the lid, as this releases heat and prolongs cooking time.
- After 3 ½ hours, open the lid, sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, and continue cooking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the baked ziti stand, covered, for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the pasta to set, making it easier to serve and preventing it from being too watery.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended)
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula for mixing and layering
More Delicious Crockpot Pasta Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of slow cooker pasta, then you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Crock Pot Mushroom Pasta Casserole
- Crock Pot Cheesy Pasta Beef Casserole
- Crock Pot Taco Pasta
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole
- Crock Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our extensive collections of copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and even more incredible Crock Pot recipes for every occasion.
Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe
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Ingredients
- 16 oz Cottage Cheese
- 2 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic Dried
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
- 56 oz Spaghetti Sauce 2 jars
- 16 oz ziti pasta uncooked
- 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Combine cottage cheese, Parmesan Cheese, egg, Parsley Flakes, Garlic, Pepper and Salt in a bowl until combined.
- Pour ½ bottle spaghetti sauce in the bottom of your greased crock pot, top with ½ uncooked pasta, Spoon ½ cottage cheese mix over past, top with some mozzarella.
- Repeat for additional layers, pour remaining spaghetti sauce over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 ½ hours, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and cook uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Let stand for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 99
This recipe was originally shared on November 21, 2014, and updated in October 2020 to ensure the best possible results and deliciousness!