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featured crockpot baked ziti.
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4.48 from 17 votes

Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe

This crockpot baked ziti recipe is made with a delicious Italian seasoned pasta sauce, three different kinds of cheese, and hearty sausage. The whole family will love it!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 8 people
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Crockpot

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage casings removed, sweet or mild also work
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 36 oz. marinara sauce (1½ jars)
  • 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 lb. dry ziti pasta (1 box), any short shaped pasta is good
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • grated Parmesan cheese optional, for topping
  • fresh basil optional, for topping

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a very large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
    1 tbsp olive oil
  • Once heated, add the sausage and use a wooden spoon to break it up into chunks. Brown the sausage and drain any fat that remains in the pan.
    1 lb. Italian sausage
  • Add in the onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning, sautéing until the onions are soft.
    ½ onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Pour the marinara sauce and broth over the meat and stir until combined.
    36 oz. marinara sauce, 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
  • Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker covering it completely.
  • Top with half of the uncooked pasta.
    1 lb. dry ziti pasta
  • Drop 4-5 spoonfuls of ricotta over pasta.
    1 cup ricotta cheese
  • Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
    2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, the remaining pasta, the remaining ricotta, and ½ cup mozzarella. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
  • Cover and cook on high for 1½-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours. At the lower end of the cook time, check to make sure the pasta isn't getting mushy.
  • Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.
    grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1307mg | Potassium: 810mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 883IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 253mg | Iron: 3mg