Easy Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
This easy slow cooker baked ziti recipe is the ultimate dump-and-go comfort food for busy weeknights, potlucks, and family gatherings. Made with just dry pasta, marinara sauce, water, and mozzarella cheese, it delivers rich, saucy, cheesy pasta flavor with almost zero effort.
No boiling. No extra pans. Just a hearty one-pot crockpot pasta dinner that cooks itself while you go about your day.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ziti
- Hands-off cooking – perfect for busy schedules
- No boiling pasta required – everything cooks in the slow cooker
- Ultra cheesy & creamy texture
- Family-friendly comfort food
- Perfect for feeding a crowd or potlucks
- Budget-friendly pantry ingredients
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 16 oz dry ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce (jarred)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Directions
- Lightly grease a 4–6 quart slow cooker to prevent sticking.
- Add the dry ziti pasta directly into the crockpot in an even layer.
- In a bowl, mix the marinara sauce and water until smooth and slightly thinned. Pour over the pasta, making sure all noodles are covered.
- Gently press down any exposed pasta so it is mostly submerged in sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top (do not stir).
- Cover and cook:
- HIGH: 2 to 2½ hours
- LOW: 3½ to 4 hours
until pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Stir gently, then top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Cover again and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Switch to WARM and serve hot straight from the slow cooker.
Serving Ideas (Make It a Full Meal)
Pair this slow cooker baked ziti with:
- Fresh green salad or Caesar salad
- Garlic bread or buttery dinner rolls
- Roasted broccoli or steamed green beans
- Fruit salad for a fresh balance
Add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Tips & Easy Variations
- Use penne, rigatoni, or rotini instead of ziti
- Swap mozzarella for Italian blend cheese for extra flavor
- Add cooked sausage or rotisserie chicken for protein
- Stir in spinach or veggies during the last 30 minutes
- Add Parmesan for a richer, more savory taste
