Slow Cooker Baked Ziti (Printer View)

Tender ziti layered with tomato sauce and cheeses, cooked slowly for a comforting dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 lb uncooked ziti or penne pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 28 fl oz jar marinara or pasta sauce

→ Cheeses

03 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Water

06 - 2 cups water

# Method:

01 - Lightly grease the interior of a 5–6 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or olive oil.
02 - Place half of the uncooked ziti evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
03 - Evenly spoon half of the marinara sauce over the pasta layer.
04 - Dollop and gently spread half of the ricotta cheese over the sauce.
05 - Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
06 - Repeat layering with the remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
07 - Pour water evenly over the entire mixture to ensure even cooking.
08 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 hours, until pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Turn off slow cooker and let baked ziti rest uncovered for 10 minutes prior to serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Effortless one-pot preparation in the slow cooker
  • Rich comforting flavors with just five ingredients
02 -
  • Add cooked ground beef sausage or sautéed vegetables for extra flavor and protein
  • Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version
03 -
  • For extra richness stir in a handful of fresh basil or parsley just before serving
  • Let the pasta rest for 10 minutes in the slow cooker for best texture
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