Crock-Pot Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses (2024)

By Marjory Pilley Published Oct 2, 2017 · Updated Nov 30, 2021

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Crock-Pot Baked Ziti is cooked 100% in a slow cooker. The title says "baked." But, there is no baking involved in this easy recipe.

You don't even have to boil the noodles on a stovetop first!

I had no intention of deceiving anyone.

There just isn't a better way to describe baked ziti made in a crock-pot. It tastes just like the traditional baked version and looks like it came out of the oven too.Use the same process to make Crock-Pot Vegetable Lasagna!

It's just a lot easier to make this comfort pasta dish with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses in a slower cooker. There are fewer dishes to clean up too!

We used no meat so this version is vegetarian. But, we'll show you where to add some.

There's a place for pasta dishes like stovetopPasta with Olive Oil, Garlic and Mushrooms. But, it's hard to resist the appeal of a meal where the slow cooker does all the work and it tastes so good!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make slow cooker baked ziti:

• Ziti Noodles or Penne Pasta
• 2 jars of pasta sauce - choose the one you love!
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Egg
• Salt & Pepper
• Basil - fresh is best, but dried is nice too.

Use full or low-fat cheeses depending upon your preference.

Optional: Cooked ground beef or sausage can be added to this recipe if desired.

Step-by-Step Directions

Here's how to make crock-pot baked ziti with detailed instructions below:

Tip: Coat the inside of the crock with cooking spray. (There is very little mess if you do this...really!) A liner does not work well in this recipe.

1. Rinse the noodles in a colander and set them aside. (This step softens the noodles.) Do not cook the noodles first.

2. Make the cheese mixture by combining ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. (A little minced garlic would be nice too.) Divide the cheese mixture in half. (Just take a spoon, eyeball it, and draw a line down the middle of the bowl.)

3. Layer the ingredients in the crock-pot as follows:

• Place half the noodles (about 2-½ cups) in the bottom of the crock. Pour 2 cups of pasta sauce over the noodles. (FYI - A 24-ounce jar has 2 ½ cups of sauce.) I stirred the pasta and sauce together to coat the noodles and then used a spoon to make sure the noodles were in an even layer.
• Variation: If you want meat or vegetables in your baked ziti, add them here. Sprinkle cooked ground beef or sliced vegetables, like mushrooms and spinach, to make the next layer.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture over the top of the current layer. Use half of the cheese mixture for this layer.
• Use the back of a spoon (or your fingers) to gently press the mixture into an even layer.
• Repeat the steps above to make the second layer.
• Pour the remaining cup of pasta sauce over the top and use a spoon to spread it evenly.

4. Cook the ziti on low for 4-6 hours or on high for about 2 hours. To test if it is done, use a fork to dig out a few noodles to taste. The exact time will vary depending upon your slow cooker. Keep a close eye on it the first time you make it.

5. Remove the lid and sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top and garnish with basil. Turn off the slow cooker. Put the lid back on and allow the cheese to melt. It takes about 10 minutes.

Serve crock-pot ziti right out of the slow cooker! The longer it sets, the easier it is to dish out in nice tall layers. But, it's equally delicious if you spoon it out right away.

Storage

Leftover baked ziti is perfect for enjoying the next day or freezing for later. I like to cut it into single servings, but it can be stored uncut as well.

• Storage. Store cooked pasta in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat servings in the microwave or the oven at 350 °F.

This recipe was a bit of a reminder for me that a slow cooker can be used for many, many things...things you may have read about but not tried before. Check out all of our crock-pot recipes.

If your slow cooker is collecting dust from limited use (as mine was,) I suggest you drag it out and make crock-pot baked ziti recipe right away! You won't be disappointed.

What to Serve With Baked Ziti

Here are some fantastic side dishes to round out the meal. Add a little garlic bread too!

More Crock-Pot Recipes

Let the slow cooker do all the work for these comfort dishes too!

Did you make this recipe?
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📋 Recipe

This recipe was originally published on 9/17/13 and has been updated to improve the reader experience.