Pasta is always a hit at our house with the whole family, and this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is no exception with all of the delicious meat sauce and of course the best part, all kinds of cheese.
This easy slow cooker recipe makes for an easy dinner that you can serve with some fresh basil and garlic bread and enjoy the best comfort food made with simple ingredients.
Be sure to save this recipe for when you need a delicious meal to make on your busy weeknights and have a new family favorite ziti pasta recipe at the tips of your fingers.
For even more delicious crock pot recipes, give these a try!
- Slow Cooker Easy Alfredo Recipe
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta Recipe
- Slow Cooker Creamy Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients used to make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
- Ground turkey
- Onion chopped
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Spaghetti sauce
- Ricotta cheese
- Eggs whites
- Shredded Mozzarella cheese divided
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Ziti noodles, uncooked pasta
How to make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground turkey with chopped onions.
- Once the meat is fully cooked, drain well.
- Mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in jars of pasta sauce and stir all together until well combined with the meat mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or line with slow cooker liner.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- On top of the layer of sauce, layer half the noodles, half the ricotta cheese mixture, and another 1 1/2 cups of sauce. Repeat the layers twice ending with sauce.
- Cook on high for 30 minutes, and then switch to low for 2-3 hours or until noodles are tender and Ziti is cooked through.
- 10 minutes before serving, top Ziti with remaining mozzarella cheese and continue cooking until melted.
Substitutions to try?
- Instead of ground turkey try either ground beef or Italian sausage, or a mixture of all three.
- Marinara sauce instead of spaghetti sauce.
- If you don’t have ricotta cheese you can always use cottage cheese instead.
- Use uncooked penne pasta (or what you might have on hand) for the uncooked ziti.
What to serve with crock pot baked ziti recipe:
Favorite things to make during the week:
- Million Dollar Casserole Recipe (Spaghetti Casserole)
- Creamy Chicken and Pasta Recipe
- 30 Minute Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Instant Pot Cheesy Penne Pasta Recipe
- Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Pasta Recipe
Other easy recipe meals for family dinner:
- Slow Cooker Freezer Meals: Make 8 Meals in 1 Hour!
- Easy Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe
- Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe
- Easy Baked Crack Chicken Recipe
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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 30 ounces spaghetti sauce, 2 (15 oz) jars, divided
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs, whites
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces ziti noodles, 1 box, uncooked
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground turkey with chopped onions.
- Once meat is fully cooked, drain well.
- Mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in spaghetti sauce and stir all together until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or line with slow cooker liner.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce in bottom of slow cooker.
- On top of sauce, layer half the noodles, half the cheese mixture, and another 1 1/2 cups of sauce. Repeat the layers twice ending with sauce.
- Cook on high for 30 minutes, and then switch to low for 2-3 hours or until noodles are tender and Ziti is cooked through.
- 10 minutes before serving, top Ziti with remaining mozzarella cheese and continue cooking until melted.
Notes
- Add Fresh Basil
- Leave Out The Meat
- Use Ground Beef
- Whole Wheat Pasta
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
In conclusion, this slow cooker baked ziti recipe is a true Italian-inspired masterpiece that brings together the rich flavors of Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and a medley of cheeses to create a family favorite that’s effortlessly prepared in your crockpot. The beauty of this easy slow cooker recipe lies in its simplicity.
With just minutes of prep time, this crock pot pasta dish is the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a delicious dinner without the extra cost and effort. The convenience of using uncooked pasta eliminates the need for precooking, making it an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will adore. The addition of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, elevating this dish to a new level.
The versatility of this crock pot baked ziti recipe allows for customization with your favorite pasta shapes and types of cheese, ensuring rave reviews from all who indulge. The layers of sauce and cheese meld together to create a creamy goodness that is nothing short of the best comfort food. As the aroma fills your home, you’ll find yourself eagerly anticipating the moment you can savor this delicious meal, served with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad dressed in creamy Italian dressing.
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