Indulge in a bowl of tender ziti noodles smothered in a rich, tomato-forward sauce and topped with layers of melty cheese—all without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. This slow cooker version of the beloved Italian classic practically cooks itself, leaving your hands and mind free to tackle your day. Cozy, comforting, and irresistibly cheesy, it’s the weeknight dinner you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot), browned and drained
- 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite marinara sauce
- 1 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
To begin, coat the inside of your slow cooker lightly with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. This little step helps prevent excessive sticking and ensures an easy cleanup later.
Layer half the dry ziti pasta at the bottom of your slow cooker, then spoon in half of the browned Italian sausage. Pour in half of the marinara sauce and half of the water or broth. Sprinkle on half of your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then spread half of the ricotta cheese in dollops across the top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, sausage, sauce, seasonings, and ricotta.
Set your slow cooker to low, cover it, and let the ziti cook for about 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender. Around the 3-hour mark, carefully stir the mixture once, then top the ziti with mozzarella and Parmesan. Replace the lid and let the cheeses melt into the sauce for the remaining hour of cooking.
When the pasta is done, gently stir everything to combine those melting cheeses throughout. Finally, garnish with fresh basil leaves if you’d like a burst of color and flavor.
Your Slow Cooker Ziti is now ready to serve—comfort food at its finest.
This recipe is great for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd at casual get-togethers. The slow cooker does all the hard work, freeing you up to focus on your day. You can easily adapt it to your health needs: try swapping turkey sausage or lean ground beef, use whole-grain pasta, or experiment with zucchini noodles for a lighter twist. It’s a versatile dish that welcomes your personal touches, whether you like it extra cheesy, loaded with veggies, or kicked up with a sprinkle of chili flakes. Buon appetito!
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
