Slow Cooker Manicotti
A super easy 4-ingredient slow cooker manicotti recipe that delivers rich, cheesy, restaurant-style comfort food with almost no effort. This dump-and-go crockpot Italian dinner is perfect for holiday weekends, family gatherings, or busy days when you want a hearty meal cooking while you relax outdoors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe (Benefits)
- Minimal prep time — just fill, layer, and cook
- Ultra creamy & cheesy ricotta filling
- Rich marinara flavor infused into every bite
- Perfect for holidays & gatherings (serves 6 easily)
- One-pot slow cooker meal = easy cleanup
- Family-friendly comfort food everyone loves
Ingredients (Only 4 Ingredients!)
- 1 (24–26 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 (15–16 oz) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese (divided)
- 12–14 dry manicotti tubes (uncooked)
Directions (Easy Crockpot Method)
- Lightly grease a 5–6 quart slow cooker with oil or nonstick spray.
- Spread about ½ cup marinara sauce on the bottom.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with 1 cup shredded mozzarella until creamy.
- Fill dry manicotti tubes using a piping bag or zip-top bag.
- Arrange stuffed manicotti in a single layer in the slow cooker.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the top, covering all pasta.
- Cook on LOW for 3½ to 4½ hours, until pasta is tender and sauce is bubbling.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cook 15–20 minutes more until melted.
- Switch to WARM, rest 10 minutes, then serve hot and cheesy.
Serving Ideas
Serve this slow cooker cheesy manicotti with:
- Fresh green salad with vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
- Antipasto platter for a holiday spread
Pro Tips & Variations
- Use spicy arrabbiata sauce for a spicy manicotti twist
- Swap mozzarella for provolone for deeper flavor
- Add fresh basil or Italian seasoning for extra aroma
- Don’t overfill tubes—this helps prevent splitting while cooking
- Keep in a single layer for best texture
