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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!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
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