Baked ziti is one of Mario's favorite foods and I make it quite often, but I thought it was about time to try to make it in the Crockpot instead. I looked for Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe recipes online, but many of them called for boiling the noodles before adding them to the slowcooker.
I did NOT want to fool around with a whole extra step, so I just modified my own no-boil baked ziti recipe. The only “extra” step is to stick the finished product under the broiler at the end to brown the cheese on top.
PanSaver EZ Clean Multi-Use Cooking Bags Slow Cooker Liners, 25 Count
You might want to consider using a slow cooker liner for this dish. We all know how hard it can be to clean up after anything made with cheese! You can find them here. Once you are done cooking and serving, just pull the liner of the pot and throw away. You'll be left with a totally clean slow cooker with nothing to wash!
No-Boil Crockpot Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients:
2 jars of pasta sauce
1 jar water (see below)
15 oz container of ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella
16 oz box of ziti
Optional: Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes
Directions:
In the Crockpot, mix the pasta sauce, one jar of water*, ricotta, egg, parmesan and 2 cups of the mozzarella. Then stir in the uncooked ziti. If you like some more “zip” to your sauce, toss in a few of your favorite seasonings as suggested above. Cook on low 4-5 hours. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Place under broiler just until bubbling and starting to brown.
*I like to fill one of the empty sauce jars with water, shake it well to get the “extra bits”, pour that water into the second jar and shake that one too, then add the water to the crockpot. No wasted sauce that way!
No-Boil Crockpot Baked Ziti
One of our go-to meals is this no-boil slow cooker baked ziti recipe. Baked ziti is already an easy recipe and it is even EASIER in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 jars of pasta sauce
- 1 jar water (see below)
- 15 oz container of ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 16 oz box of ziti
Instructions
- In the Crockpot, mix the pasta sauce, one jar of water*, ricotta, egg, parmesan and 2 cups of the mozzarella.
- Stir in the uncooked ziti.
- If you like some more “zip” to your sauce, toss in a few of your favorite seasonings as suggested above.
- Cook on low 4-5 hours.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Place under broiler just until bubbling and starting to brown.
Notes
I like to fill one of the empty sauce jars with water, shake it well to get the “extra bits”, pour that water into the second jar and shake that one too, then add the water to the crockpot. No wasted sauce that way!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 502mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 19g
Nutrition is calculated automatically and may not be accurate.
RobynsNestOf3 says
Wow!!!!!!! Just finished making it up and, Wow, I wish I would have read the amounts of everything!!!! I will Soooo cit it in half next time!!!! Was gonna put in a pack of pre-cooked bacon but I didn’t have enough room in my crockpot. I will definitely half it next time and then add the bacon. Or maybe just get a bigger crock!!!!!!! ?
Leigh Ann Kristiansen says
If you double the recipe, how will that effect the cook time?
Chrysa says
Hi, Leigh Ann. I’m really not sure since I have never made a bigger batch. I’m sure it would take a little bit longer, but perhaps not much. I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you without trying it out!
Jamie says
Hello! I would love to try this recipe….however I would downsize for just me!!! Quick question…..Why the egg? Does it help with thickening? I’m dairy free and would like to know if I can just omit the egg. Thanks.
Chrysa says
Yes, the egg is for thickening. You can make it without (I sometimes do), but then the sauce is more runny and the whole thing doesn’t “stick together” as much.
Sarah says
Delicious! I followed the ingredients exactly. I was pressed for time so cooked on high for 3.25hrs. Thanks for sharing!
Chrysa says
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it!!
Amanda says
Just curious as to how many small portions do you think you would get out of this. I’m looking to serve it at a party where there will be plenty of other food so a large bowl won’t be necessary. How many serving spoonfuls would you estimate.
Thanks! Sounds like an amazing dish. ?
Chrysa says
If there is other food also, it should make about 15 servings (more or less!).
Lorraine says
How large of a crockpot do you use for the recipe just as it is. Going to make it tonite ….. Sounds delicious !!!!!
Chrysa says
The one I use is a 6 quart.
Ketura says
This is my third time making this recipe and each time it is a success. Love that it’s so simple that you literally cannot mess it up!
Chrysa says
I’m so happy to hear that! I feel the same way that it’s almost foolproof! I haven’t had a “bad batch” either. 🙂
Mildred bernstein says
Mine also came out like mush and cooked in 2 hours on low. Any suggestions?
Chrysa says
I’m sorry to hear that, Mildred! Usually it is pretty foolproof if the exact ingredients listed are used. 2 hours on low normally would not even get to the cooked point so I really am stumped why it would be mush in such a short time.
Phyllis says
How do you both use a crock pot liner and brown it under the broiler? Won’t the liner melt under the broiler?