Description
Hearty, cheesy, and hands-off. This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti layers marinara, tender pasta, and melty cheeses with savory beef and Italian herbs for a cozy pasta casserole—all in your Crockpot with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups water or broth
- 1 box (16 oz) uncooked ziti or penne pasta
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned and onions are soft. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
- Add to Crockpot: Transfer meat mixture to slow cooker. Stir in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, marinara, diced tomatoes, and water/broth.
- Stir in Pasta: Add uncooked pasta; stir so pasta is submerged.
- Layer with Cheese: Dollop ricotta or cottage cheese over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella. Do not stir.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW 3–4 hours until pasta is tender (check at 3 hours).
- Finish with Cheese: In the last 10–15 minutes, top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan; cover to melt.
- Serve: Scoop into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
Notes
- No-boil pasta: Add it dry—just keep it submerged in sauce plus liquid.
- Stir once halfway: Helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Don’t overcook: Start checking for al dente at the 3-hour mark.
- Swap-ins: Use plant-based crumbles for vegetarian, or add spinach/mushrooms.
- Make-ahead: Brown meat and assemble early; slow cook when ready.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze portions up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours (LOW)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, Crockpot Pasta Casserole, No Boil Ziti, Easy Italian Slow Cooker, Pasta Crock Pot Recipes