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This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a lifesaver. It’s all made in one pot. Yes, even the pasta. No boiling, no layering, and barely any cleanup. Just throw it together, walk away, and come back to cheesy, saucy pasta that tastes like you spent hours on it.
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 6 hr 25 min
Total Time: 6 hr 40 min
Servings: 6
Why Moms Love It
Set it and forget it. No boiling, no baking, just one pot.
Kid-approved. It’s cheesy and comforting.
Makes plenty. Dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make It
Step 1: Brown the meat
In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until the beef is fully browned, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add garlic and spices
Toss in the garlic, salt, basil, and parsley. Cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3: Load the slow cooker
Pour the beef mixture into a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, and broth. Stir well.
Step 4: Cook the sauce
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Step 5: Add the pasta
Turn the slow cooker to high. Stir in the dry pasta and make sure it’s mostly covered in sauce. Cover and cook for 15 to 30 minutes. Stir at the 15-minute mark to prevent sticking. Check for doneness.
Step 6: Add the cheese
Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle mozzarella over the top. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes so the cheese melts.
Real-Life Cooking Tips
Use short pasta like penne or rotini. Long noodles tend to clump.
Stir the pasta halfway through cooking so it doesn’t stick.
Push pasta into the sauce so it cooks evenly.
Don’t overcook. Check at 15 minutes and go from there.
Easy Swaps and Add-Ins
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Add chopped spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
Replace ½ cup of broth with cream for a richer version.
No ziti? Use penne or rotini. Even spaghetti works if broken up and stirred often.
Leftovers and Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
Reheat: Add a splash of water or broth before microwaving.
Freezer: Freeze in single portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
What to Serve With It
- Garlic bread
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
Nutrition Info
One plate of this Crockpot Baked Ziti gives you about 587 calories, 33 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbs, and 26 grams of fat. It has 8 grams of fiber and 10 grams of sugar. These numbers are rough estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients you use. If you need exact numbers, it’s best to plug your ingredients into a nutrition calculator.
