Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Dinner

written by Ashley Fehr

4.87 from 260 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

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Last updated on March 21, 2024

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This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is made completely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same flavor! Includes step by step recipe video.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Love your slow cooker as much as we do? Check out my 15 Best Crockpot Recipes, these Easy Crockpot Meals or these quick-to-prep Dump ‘n’ Go Slow Cooker Meals!

Tips for cooking Crock Pot Pasta:
Variations on this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
More Crock Pot Pasta recipes:
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

I know.

I’m not even 50 words in and I’ve cheated already.

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti is obviously NOT baked. Though I suppose if you were really set on it you could stir in an egg and some ricotta (although Serious Eats isn’t upset my recipe’s lack of it), spread it into a baking dish and bake it.

I, however, am not.

Because this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is all about finding easy, crockpot meals that my family loves, don’t use a whole pile of dishes and are relatively healthy and hearty.

And the best part about slow cooker dinners?

That moment, often around 5:00, when you would normally be all like, “Riiiiiiiight…… dinner…..”, but instead you’ve got things totally under control.

How much do you feel like a rockstar in that moment?

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (3)

Tips for cooking Crock Pot Pasta:

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that figuring out how to cook pasta in the slow cooker was pretty life changing for me.

Take this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Mac for instance, or this Slow Cooker Healthier Hamburger Helper.We can’t get enough!

But there are a few tricks to getting it just right!

Small pasta is best, but long is doable. Short pasta like macaroni, penne, rotini, and others work best in this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti because they’re less likely to clump and stick together. Long pasta cuts like spaghetti and fettucini are doable, but you may have to stir a couple more times in between.
Turn your slow cooker to high when you add your pasta. It’s going to take longer to cook than if you were boiling it, but we don’t want it to take forever, so crank it up and let it go for 15 minutes or so, until it reaches your desired tenderness.
Spread your pasta down into the sauce — try to make sure you don’t have too many sticking out or they may be dry.
Don’t overcook — cooking pasta in the slow cooker takes longer than in boiling water, but it’s not going to take more than 20-25 minutes, so check at the 15 minute mark, and then try to gauge how much longer it needs at that point.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (4)

Variations on this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:

I have one other confession: my Ziti is not Ziti. It’s Penne.

But you know what?

Ziti is not that easy to find around here, and since my “Baked” Ziti isn’t all that traditional in the first place, why cause a big fuss about it? (If you’re looking for another untraditional “Baked Ziti” recipe that doesn’t cook all day, trythis One Pot Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage!)

If you insist, you can easily swap the penne for ziti noodles, and nothing will change.

Here are a few more ways to mix things up if you want:

Try swapping ground beef for loose Italian sausage for a slightly spicy, extra flavorful kick.
Try swapping ½ cup of the broth for ½ cup of cream for a creamy, tomato-based pasta
You can easily swap the penne or ziti noodles for spaghetti and end up with spaghetti and meat sauce — just cut down the cook time on the noodles and stir every 5 minutes until cooked.
You can easily bump up the veggie content by adding shredded carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, finely chopped kale or spinach — and no one will know!

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (5)

More Crock Pot Pasta recipes:

Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Recipe
Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe + VIDEO

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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

written by Ashley Fehr

4.87 from 260 votes

This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is actually made completely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same flavor!

Save

Review

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

▢ 1 lb ground beef (or turkey or Italian sausage)
▢ 1 onion finely chopped
▢ 1 teaspoon minced garlic
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
▢ 28 oz can diced tomatoes
▢ 650 ml jar pasta sauce about 2 ½ cups
▢ 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
▢ 375 gram box Penne or Ziti or other short pasta (about 4 cups)
▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Stir in garlic and salt and cook 1 minute. (OPTIONAL: you can also add the raw onion and spices right into the slow cooker to save on time)
Add beef mixture, basil, parsley, tomatoes, pasta sauce and water to a 4qt (or larger) slow cooker. Stir.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Turn slow cooker to high. Add pasta and stir until combined. Cover and continue cooking for 15-30 minutes (depending on how hot your slow cooker is) — check and stir at the 15 minute mark.
Sprinkle with cheese and cover for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Information

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Rebecca says
February 18, 2024 at 11:34 pm
AMAZING! I’m making this dish again, for a meal train. How should I tell the couple to reheat the dish? I’ve got it in a metal pan.
Reply
Dee says
February 18, 2024 at 11:05 am
Can I add fresh or frozen spinach? And when during the cooking process should I add it
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  February 18, 2024 at 10:34 pm
  See Also
  Vietnamese pork belly - keto pork belly recipe
  Hi Dee! I know other readers have with great success. Add it with the pasta. You can use either but if it id frozen, I’d let it thaw first. Enjoy!
  Reply
Robin says
February 9, 2024 at 6:01 pm
Unfortunately, mine turned out more like soup than the picture above. Next time I might try leaving out the chicken broth and adding extra pasta and hope it thickens more like a baked pasta casserole. As it stands, dinner tonight is kind of a disaster and no amount of mozzarella on top is going to help, unfortunately.
Reply
- Diane Delia says
  February 18, 2024 at 11:06 am
  Question? Did you cook the pasta first? If you did, I think that could be the problem. Uncooked pasta will absorb a tremendous amount of liquid.
  Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  February 18, 2024 at 10:30 pm
  I’m sorry to hear that Robin, was the pasta uncooked?
  Reply
Austen says
October 22, 2023 at 5:58 pm
Hello everyone, dinners have always been especially hard for me. So im getting into the world of slow cooking on a crock pot and this will be my first recipe that I will be attempting. I have followed the instructions to the T. One question tho, should I let my crock pot heat up before adding the ingredients? If so for how long? I hope it turns out good, but also its a very cheap ingredient list I believe for everything it was around 35 dollars for all of the ingredients. If youre more thrift could get probably get everything for about 25$
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  October 24, 2023 at 9:32 pm
  You should not have to preheat the slow cooker unless a recipe calls for it. Enjoy!
  Reply
catie says
October 11, 2023 at 2:38 pm
hi! This turned out delicious; but I don’t think the advertising “cooks in one pot!” is correct since you have to brown on the oven before putting it in. I look for one pot meals that I don’t have to do any prior prepping (besides cutting and chopping) for. Willl make again. Thank you.
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  October 11, 2023 at 9:12 pm
  Hi Catie! Glad it turned out for you! You don’t have to brown the meat before adding it but there are advantages to doing it. While it is an extra step, I see it being beneficial.
  Reply
leigh pariseau says
September 7, 2023 at 12:33 pm
100 degrees in Massachusetts today and I’m craving pasta. Just put this all in the slow cooker but am wondering if it should be covered prior to adding the pasta? Thank you.
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  September 11, 2023 at 9:34 pm
  Hi Leigh! I always keep my slow cooker covered while cooking in it. Enjoy!
  Reply
Venda says
July 16, 2023 at 7:53 am
I will dig out my crock pot to try this, but I’m a pressure cooker girl and make this with chicken. Straight from frozen meat. Always delicious.
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  July 27, 2023 at 12:57 pm
  Enjoy Venda!
  Reply
Connie says
July 14, 2023 at 8:07 am
Should the pasta be added raw?
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  July 14, 2023 at 12:40 pm
  Yes
  Reply
Trey says
June 28, 2023 at 5:13 pm
This is monthly go-to. It’s so easy and delicious! I usually double the meat using 1 lb of ground sirloin and 1 lb of ground Italian sausage. I also use a bit more broth and noodles to account for it. Can’t miss with this recipe!
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  July 5, 2023 at 10:03 pm
  Hi Trey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
  Reply
Kent A. Jenewein says
June 9, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Wonderful and easy!!!!!
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  June 20, 2023 at 9:42 pm
  Hi Kent! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
  Reply
Angela says
March 20, 2023 at 10:56 pm
We love this recipe! It is now a weekly dinner must have. I made it for the church youth group and the kids all came back for 2nds and some 3rds! I season the meat with Italian seasonings and use rigatoni but other than that I follow the recipe.
Reply
Mary says
March 7, 2023 at 1:32 am
I haven’t tried this yet, but I have loved every recipe of yours that I’ve tried. I’m trying to cut back on carbs and wondered if you thought veggie based pasta would work? I can’t wait to try it out!
Reply
- The Recipe Rebel says
  March 14, 2023 at 9:02 pm
  Hi Mary, I can’t say for sure since I haven’t tested it out, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
  Reply

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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for pasta to cook in crockpot? ›

Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 to 2 hours. Check at the 3 (on low) or 1 (on high) hour mark to ensure the pasta does not over cook. To check for doneness, use a fork to pull a “test” noodle from the center of the slow cooker. Once it is tender, the pasta is done.

Should you undercook ziti before baking? ›

(You want to undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue to cook in the oven. A good way to do this is cook it 2 minutes less than you normally would if preparing it al dente.) Reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, drain pasta and rinse with cool water; set aside while the tomato sauce finishes cooking.

Get More Info Here ›

Why is my baked ziti dry? ›

Make sure to toss your ziti with plenty of sauce

But we've all likely sunk a fork into a baked ziti that's just too dry, seeming like a conglomeration of noodles instead of a moist sum of its parts. That pitfall, according to The Kitchn, is almost always due to not saucing the ziti adequately.

Find Out More ›

Does pasta need to be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

The key is to make sure all of the pasta is covered with water. Then, shut the lid, seal the valve and manually set the pot to cook the pasta at low pressure for half the time recommended on the box.

Discover More ›

Can you overcook pasta in slow cooker? ›

When cooking pasta in the slow cooker, we recommend using thicker pasta noodles to help prevent overcooking. Try out fettuccine or bow tie, especially if it's your first go at it. Once you've started cooking, check the noodles every few minutes to see if they're fully cooked.

Show Me More ›

Should baked ziti be covered when baking? ›

Should I cover Baked Ziti while it's baking? Yes. Cover loosely with foil so it doesn't stick to the cheese, then bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil so the cheese can go bubbly and golden!

See Details ›

How do you know when ziti is done? ›

Two minutes before the finish time, start testing bits for consistency. Properly cooked, it should be “al dente”, or “to the tooth”, which means that it is cooked through but only to the point that the center is slightly chewy.

Explore More ›

Why is my baked ziti so watery? ›

Why is my pasta bake watery? There are a couple of reasons why your pasta bake might be runny. Sauce that is thick at room temperature or from the fridge will thin out in the hot oven. It is better to have a thicker sauce at the beginning, so it will be the right consistency after cooking.

Show Me More ›

Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese? ›

There's still some layering involved but only a little so it comes together quicker and easier than lasagna. Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese? It sure does. The ricotta is mixed with two other types of cheese and egg to create a creamy mixture that coats the pasta.

See Details ›

How do I make ziti not dry? ›

Layering is important (but easy!)

Layer half the mozzarella into the pasta and reserve half for the top. It bakes up golden-brown — the hallmark of a good pasta casserole. Make sure there is enough sauce to use as a layer at the top, under the mozzarella. This will insulate the pasta and keep it from drying out.

View Details ›

What is a substitute for ricotta cheese in baked ziti? ›

Cottage cheese: As far as ricotta substitutes go, light and mild cottage cheese is your best bet. In fact, some people prefer to use cottage cheese because it has a similar flavor and fewer calories.

View Details ›

How long to cook pasta directly in sauce? ›

Stir pasta sauce, water, and Italian seasoning into the pot; bring to a boil. Stir in spaghetti noodles, return to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are cooked through and sauce has thickened, 17 to 20 minutes.

Tell Me More ›

How long does it take for a slow cooker to boil on high? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe {VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

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