Name: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h 20 min
Total time: 3 h 35 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound Italian sausage (or ground beef or ground turkey); 1 small onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes; 15 ounce can diced tomatoes; 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ¾ teaspoon salt; ⅛ teaspoon black pepper; 2 ½ cups water; 16 ounces uncooked ziti pasta (or penne pasta); 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

If you’re craving a comforting, hearty pasta dish that practically makes itself while you tackle your day, then you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want dinner ready and waiting without the last-minute rush. Seriously, the combination of savory Italian sausage, tangy tomatoes, perfectly cooked pasta, and melty mozzarella cheese all stirred together in one pot is fan-freaking-tastic—and exactly the kind of cozy meal that’ll have your whole family asking for seconds!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Set It and Forget It: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy hassle-free cooking without standing over the stove.
Rich, Homemade Flavor: Using simple pantry ingredients results in a sauce that tastes like you spent hours simmering it.
Perfect Pasta Texture: Adding the dry pasta near the end means it cooks just right without turning mushy.
Family Friendly: This slow cooker baked ziti recipe satisfies adults and kids alike—comfort food that everyone loves.

A close-up view of a black slow cooker filled with short tube pasta mixed with a reddish-orange tomato sauce and small pieces of browned meat. The pasta is covered with melted white cheese that stretches slightly over the top, sprinkled with small green herb bits. The textures include the smooth melted cheese, the firm pasta tubes, and the rough meat pieces, all sitting inside the slow cooker with some sauce peeking through. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, baked ziti with sausage, easy slow cooker pasta, comforting Italian dinner, make-ahead baked ziti

Ingredients You’ll Need

Most of these ingredients are staples in my kitchen, and you probably have many of them too. They’re chosen to work together harmoniously for that classic baked ziti vibe, with just enough herbs and seasoning to bring out a rich Italian flavor.

Flat lay of Italian sausage links, a small chopped onion, several garlic cloves, a can of crushed tomatoes opened to show the rich red sauce, diced tomatoes spilling slightly from an opened can, scattered dried Italian seasoning herbs including oregano and basil, a pile of uncooked ziti pasta tubes, and a small mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, all beautifully arranged with natural lighting and fresh, vibrant colors, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, baked ziti with sausage, easy slow cooker pasta, comforting Italian dinner, make-ahead baked ziti

Olive oil: Adds a lovely base flavor and helps brown the meat without sticking.
Italian sausage: I love the depth it brings, but ground beef or turkey work just as well if you prefer.
Onion: Gives sweetness and texture to the sauce; fresh is best.
Garlic: A must-have for that punch of savory goodness.
Crushed tomatoes: Forms the body of the sauce with a slightly chunky texture.
Diced tomatoes: Adds another layer of tomato flavor and texture.
Italian seasoning: A blend that brings in oregano, basil, and other herbs for balanced seasoning.
Dried oregano and basil: Freshen up the mix and enhance the Italian taste.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste.
Water: Helps the pasta cook in the slow cooker without drying out.
Uncooked ziti pasta: The star pasta here—a sturdy shape that holds sauce well; penne works if that’s what you have.
Mozzarella cheese: That melty, gooey topping that makes baked ziti irresistible.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I really enjoy about this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe is how flexible it is—you can tweak it to match your taste buds or dietary needs without losing any of the comfort factor.

Meat-Free Option: I’ve swapped Italian sausage for a mix of mushrooms and lentils to make a vegetarian version that still feels hearty and satisfying.
Spicy Kick: Sometimes, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes when browning the meat to give it a little heat that my family adores.
Cheese Variations: Feel free to mix mozzarella with Parmesan for extra cheesy goodness, or add ricotta dollops for creaminess.
Gluten-Free Pasta: I’ve used gluten-free penne without any problem—just keep an eye on cook time, as some brands vary.

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Step 1: Brown Your Meat and Aromatics

Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add your Italian sausage (or ground beef/turkey) and break it up with a spoon. After about 3-4 minutes, toss in the chopped onion and let everything cook until the meat is fully cooked and onions soften—that’s usually another 4-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for just about a minute, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. This step develops the base flavor, so don’t rush it! Finally, drain off any excess grease to keep the sauce from getting too oily.

Step 2: Combine Sauce Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Transfer the meat and onion mixture into your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and water. Give everything a good stir. Don’t add the pasta yet—this sauce might look a bit liquidy now, but trust me, the pasta will soak up all that goodness later.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Sauce

Cover and cook the sauce on high for about 3 hours or on low for around 6 hours. This slow simmer melds all those flavors beautifully. When I first made this, I was amazed at how the sauce tasted homemade, as if I had simmered it all day on the stove.

Step 4: Add the Pasta and Finish Cooking

Once your sauce has thickened nicely, stir in the uncooked ziti pasta, pushing it down so it’s submerged in the liquid. Then, cover and cook on HIGH for 15-25 minutes. Be sure to stir it after about 15 minutes to prevent any sticking and to help the pasta cook evenly. Cook times can vary depending on your slow cooker, so check the pasta’s texture—you’re looking for tender but not mushy.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Let It Melt

Once your pasta is cooked to perfection, turn off the slow cooker. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, cover it again, and let it rest for about 5 minutes. The heat will gently melt the cheese to that ooey-gooey goodness I can never resist.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

Don’t Add Pasta Too Early: Adding dry pasta right from the start makes it mushy—saving it for the last step keeps the texture just right.
Use Italian Sausage with Flavor: I learned that using good-quality sausage really amps up the dish’s flavor compared to plain ground beef.
Check Pasta Early: Slow cookers vary, so check the pasta’s doneness a bit ahead of time to avoid overcooking.
Remove Excess Grease: Draining the cooking fat from the meat mixture prevents a greasy sauce and keeps the flavors balanced.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with rigatoni pasta covered in a bright red tomato sauce mixed with browned sausage pieces. On top, melted white cheese is stretched over some pasta, with small green parsley leaves scattered for garnish. A silver fork is inserted into the bowl, pulling some pasta and cheese up. The bowl rests on a light beige cloth on a white marbled background, with some green parsley leaves partially visible to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, baked ziti with sausage, easy slow cooker pasta, comforting Italian dinner, make-ahead baked ziti

Garnishes

I like to finish off this baked ziti with fresh torn basil leaves or a sprinkle of chopped parsley—it adds freshness and beautiful color. A little extra grated Parmesan on top right before serving doesn’t hurt either if you’re a cheese lover like me!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this are a crisp Caesar salad and garlic bread. The salad cuts through the richness while the garlic bread is great for sopping up every last bit of sauce. Roasted vegetables, like broccoli or zucchini, pair wonderfully as well.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I sometimes scoop individual portions into small ramekins, then sprinkle extra cheese on top and broil them for a couple minutes for a bubbly, golden crust that wows guests. It turns this humble slow cooker meal into something a little extra fancy without much effort!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover baked ziti is just as good the next day. I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When packing, I try to keep the cheese topping separate or add a little extra on reheating, so it stays fresh and melty.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I usually let it cool completely, then transfer portions into freezer-safe containers. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers either in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to avoid drying out. If needed, I add a splash of water or sauce to help loosen everything up and cover with a bit more cheese on top. It comes out warm and creamy, almost like fresh!

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta for this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe?

Absolutely! While ziti is traditional and holds up well in slow cooking, penne or rigatoni are great alternatives. Just keep in mind that smaller or thinner pasta might overcook faster, so adjust cook time accordingly.
Is it okay to use pre-cooked meat in this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked ground meat or sausage to save time. Just add it directly to the slow cooker with the tomato sauce ingredients and proceed as directed. It’s essential to brown raw meat first, but if it’s already cooked, this shortcut works well.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together in the slow cooker?

Make sure to stir the pasta into the sauce well so it’s all submerged, and stir once after about 15 minutes when cooking the pasta. This helps prevent clumping and ensures even cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the meat for plant-based crumbles or roasted veggies, and use a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast topping to mimic the cheesy finish. Just adjust seasonings to your liking.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe simplifies dinner without skimping on flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, but you still get to enjoy a satisfying Italian comfort meal that feels homemade and special. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping ahead for busy nights, this recipe delivers every time. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and make it a favorite in your kitchen as it is in mine!