Comforting Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printer-friendly)
Creamy, cheesy pasta with Italian sausage simmers effortlessly in your slow cooker for the ultimate comfort food dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Fresh basil for garnish
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
02 - Add sausage to skillet, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat and set aside.
03 - Combine ricotta, half the mozzarella (1 cup), Parmesan, dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper, mixing until fully incorporated.
04 - Coat slow cooker insert with non-stick spray. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce evenly across bottom. Layer half the uncooked ziti, half the browned sausage, half the ricotta mixture, and approximately 2 cups marinara sauce.
05 - Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sausage, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce. Finish by topping with remaining mozzarella cheese.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove lid and let rest 10 to 15 minutes before serving to allow layers to set. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all those deep tomato flavors while you go about your day
- That moment when you lift the lid and catch the first waft of Italian sausage and melting cheese feels like coming home
02 -
- I learned the hard way that high heat makes the pasta turn to mush against the sides of the slow cooker
- The resting period is not optional unless you want to serve pasta soup instead of baked ziti
03 -
- Spray the slow cooker insert generously and use extra sauce on the bottom to prevent any stuck on pasta drama
- Mix an egg into the ricotta mixture if you want an extra rich, custardy texture that holds together beautifully