Comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printable View)
Tender ziti layered with Italian sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella in rich marinara sauce, slowly cooked to perfection.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
→ Pasta
02 - 1 lb dry ziti pasta
→ Dairy
03 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables & Sauces
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 48 oz marinara sauce (2 jars)
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no longer pink remains. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella (1 cup), grated Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly incorporated.
04 - Coat the slow cooker insert thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
05 - Begin layering: spread half the uncooked ziti pasta, followed by half the browned sausage, half the ricotta mixture, and approximately 2 cups marinara sauce. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta, and sauce, ensuring even distribution.
06 - Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
07 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta reaches desired tenderness and cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove lid and allow baked ziti to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This allows layers to set for easier portioning. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The hands-off time gives you freedom to actually relax while dinner cooks itself
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
- Every slow cooker runs differently—check at the 3 hour mark to avoid mushy pasta
- The resting period is not optional, it makes all the difference between a layered dish and a mess
03 -
- Spray your slow cooker insert generously, the cheese loves to stick
- If the cheese on top isn't brown enough, switch to high for the last 15 minutes