Name: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h 20 min
Total time: 3 h 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound Italian sausage (or ground beef or ground turkey); 1 small onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes; 15 ounce can diced tomatoes; 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ¾ teaspoon salt; ⅛ teaspoon black pepper; 2 ½ cups water; 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta (or penne pasta); 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

If you’re craving a homestyle, comforting pasta dish but want to keep things easy and hands-off, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe. It’s one of those soul-satisfying meals that practically makes itself while you get on with your day. Trust me, once you try this slow cooker version, you’ll wonder why you ever baked your ziti any other way!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple, One-Pot Cooking: You get all the flavors of baked ziti without heating up the oven or dirtying multiple dishes.
Perfectly Tender Pasta: The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that delicious tomato and spice goodness.
Hands-Off Meal Prep: Just set it and forget it—ideal for busy days or when you want dinner ready after work.
Family-Friendly Comfort Food: This recipe has become a dinner table favorite in my house, and I bet it will in yours, too.

A close-up view of a black slow cooker filled with short tube pasta mixed with a reddish-orange tomato sauce and small pieces of browned meat. The pasta is covered with melted white cheese that stretches slightly over the top, sprinkled with small green herb bits. The textures include the smooth melted cheese, the firm pasta tubes, and the rough meat pieces, all sitting inside the slow cooker with some sauce peeking through. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, easy baked ziti, crockpot pasta recipes, comforting pasta dishes, one-pot ziti

Ingredients You’ll Need

All these ingredients work together to build a rich and hearty baked ziti that’s bursting with classic Italian flavors. Plus, most pantry staples make this a convenient dinner option you can pull together anytime.

Flat lay of Italian sausage links, a small chopped onion, several garlic cloves, a can of crushed tomatoes opened to show the rich red sauce, diced tomatoes spilling slightly from an opened can, scattered dried Italian seasoning herbs including oregano and basil, a pile of uncooked ziti pasta tubes, and a small mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, all beautifully arranged with natural lighting and fresh, vibrant colors, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, easy baked ziti, crockpot pasta recipes, comforting pasta dishes, one-pot ziti

Olive oil: This adds richness and helps brown the meat, bringing depth to your sauce.
Italian sausage: I love using sausage for its flavorful fat and spice, but ground beef or turkey work great, too if you prefer.
Small onion: Adds that lovely savory sweetness once softened with the meat.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic is key for bold, mouthwatering sauce.
Crushed tomatoes: Gives the sauce body and a fresh-tasting base.
Diced tomatoes: These add texture and more tomato flavor.
Italian seasoning: A blend that ties the herbs and spices together perfectly.
Dried oregano and basil: Classic Italian herbs that brighten the sauce.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance flavors.
Water: Helps cook the pasta right in the sauce without it drying out.
Uncooked ziti pasta: Or penne if you prefer—this cooks to tender perfection in the slow cooker.
Mozzarella cheese: To melt on top for that irresistible cheesy finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This slow cooker baked ziti recipe is naturally versatile, so feel free to tweak the protein, flavor profile, or even cheese blend to suit your family’s tastes or what you have on hand. I like to mix it up depending on the season or occasion.

Meat choices: Sometimes I swap Italian sausage for ground turkey to lighten things up, and honestly, it still comes out super flavorful.
Vegetarian option: Skip the meat entirely and add mushrooms or roasted veggies to keep it hearty and delicious.
Cheese variations: Adding ricotta or parmesan can make the texture creamier and richer—my family goes crazy when I include them!
Spicy kick: Throw in some crushed red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage if you want a little heat.

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (or your chosen meat), breaking it apart with a spoon. After about 3-4 minutes, when it’s starting to brown, throw in your chopped onion and keep cooking until the sausage is cooked through and onions are tender. Last, add minced garlic and let it cook just a minute more—don’t let the garlic burn! Drain any excess grease before moving to the next step. This pre-cooking step adds layers of flavor you really notice in the finished dish.

Step 2: Layer the Sauce Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Transfer your meat and onion mixture directly into the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and water. Stir everything to combine. It might look a bit watery at this point, but don’t worry — that extra liquid is just what the pasta needs to cook later in the slow cooker.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Sauce

Pop the lid on and cook on HIGH for about 3 hours, or LOW for about 6 hours if you want to set this in the morning and come back to dinner. This slow simmer lets the flavors marry beautifully and deepens that classic Italian sauce taste.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Finish Cooking

Once your sauce has had time to develop, stir in the uncooked ziti pasta, making sure all the pasta is pressed down into the liquid. Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for 15 to 25 minutes. I usually check and stir after 15 minutes to make sure the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick. Depending on your slow cooker, the pasta may need a few minutes more — just keep an eye on it so it’s perfectly al dente and not mushy.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Serve

Turn off the slow cooker, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top, then cover and let it rest for 5 minutes. This way, the cheese melts beautifully and creates that irresistible baked ziti finish we all crave. Now it’s time to dish it out and savor every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Brown the Meat Well: Browning your sausage and onions first adds so much richness—you don’t want to skip this step!
Use Uncooked Pasta Last: Adding the pasta at the end avoids overcooking and mushiness, giving you perfect texture every time.
Stir Pasta Midway: Stirring once when the pasta starts cooking helps prevent sticking and ensures the pasta cooks evenly.
Don’t Skip Resting with Cheese: Letting the dish rest after adding cheese lets it melt perfectly without drying out top layers.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with rigatoni pasta covered in a bright red tomato sauce mixed with browned sausage pieces. On top, melted white cheese is stretched over some pasta, with small green parsley leaves scattered for garnish. A silver fork is inserted into the bowl, pulling some pasta and cheese up. The bowl rests on a light beige cloth on a white marbled background, with some green parsley leaves partially visible to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, easy baked ziti, crockpot pasta recipes, comforting pasta dishes, one-pot ziti

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top for color and a fresh herb kick. Sometimes a little extra grated Parmesan makes it feel extra special, too. If you’re feeling zesty, a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a great contrast.

Side Dishes

To keep things classic, I serve this ziti with a crisp Caesar salad or garlic bread—because who doesn’t want bread to sop up that extra sauce? Roasted vegetables or a simple green side also balance the hearty pasta nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try serving the baked ziti in individual ramekins topped with fresh mozzarella balls and herbs. It always feels like a treat and looks stunning on the table. Or frame it with a nice crusty loaf and sparkling water for casual dinner parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat, keep a splash of water or sauce handy to bring back that creamy texture—it can thicken up after chilling.

Freezing

This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe also freezes really well. Just let it cool completely, portion it out, and freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to keep it creamy and avoid drying out. Cover while reheating to trap moisture and melt the cheese again.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe?

Absolutely! While ziti is traditional, penne or rigatoni also work well due to their tubular shapes that hold sauce nicely. Just keep in mind that smaller or thinner pasta shapes may cook faster, so adjust cooking times accordingly.
Do I have to brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker?

I recommend browning the meat and sautéing the onions first because it adds depth and richness to the final sauce. It also helps reduce excess grease and ensures your dish isn’t watery. Skipping this step can result in a less flavorful ziti.
What if my pasta isn’t fully cooked after the suggested time?

Slow cookers vary in heat, so if your pasta needs more time, just cook it a little longer on HIGH and stir occasionally to prevent clumping. Be careful not to overcook though, as ziti can get mushy quickly.
Can I prepare this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can brown the meat and prep the sauce mixture the night before, then refrigerate it in the slow cooker insert. In the morning, just add the pasta and cook as directed. This is a great time-saver on busy days.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free pasta instead of ziti and double-check that your sausage and canned tomatoes are gluten-free. Cooking times might vary slightly, so keep an eye on the pasta.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe turns out every single time—warm, cheesy, and comforting without the fuss of the oven. It’s become one of my go-to meals, especially when life gets busy but we still want that home-cooked feel. Give it a try; I promise it will become a family favorite in your home, too. You can almost forget dinner is cooking until it’s time for those cozy, saucy bites!