Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly easy and delicious Slow Cooker Baked Ziti—a comforting classic made even simpler! This one-pot wonder layers tender ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Italian sausage, all slow-cooked in a rich marinara sauce to perfection. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this no-boil pasta dish is perfect for busy families craving homemade Italian flavor without the hassle. The slow cooking process melds the spices and cheeses together, creating an irresistible blend of textures and tastes. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of elegance, and watch as this hearty, crowd-pleasing meal disappears from plates. Perfect for meal planning or leisurely weekend dinners, this recipe is your ticket to effortless comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain any excess grease and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Set this cheese mixture aside.

Step 3

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or lightly coat it with olive oil.

Step 4

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 5

Layer half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.

Step 6

Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta and spread it slightly.

Step 7

Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage over the ricotta layer.

Step 8

Spread 1.5 cups of marinara sauce over the sausage layer.

Step 9

Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, sausage, and marinara sauce.

Step 10

Top the final layer with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 11

Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender.

Step 12

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 13

Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2415.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4622.0

Total Fat 238.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 97.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 688.8mg	0%
Sodium 9273.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 407.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.7g	0%
Total Sugars 40.0g
Protein 226.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3441.5mg	0%
Iron 28.1mg	0%
Potassium 1781.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.9%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 34.8%