Description
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Combining layers of uncooked ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture, this recipe slow cooks to perfection, melding flavors beautifully with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Meat Mixture
- 48 oz Pasta Marinara Sauce or Meat sauce your choice
- 29 oz Diced Italian Tomatoes
- 1 lb Italian Sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons basil, chopped
- 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Pasta and Topping
- 16 oz Ziti Pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, egg, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and chopped parsley. Use an electric mixer to blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring even texture throughout.
- Mix Sauce and Meat: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the pasta marinara or meat sauce, diced Italian tomatoes, cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, minced garlic, and water until well combined.
- Layer Sauce: Place one-third of the sauce mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading it out evenly to create the first layer.
- Add Pasta: Evenly distribute half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce layer in the slow cooker.
- Add Cheese Dollops: Spoon dollops of the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
- Repeat Layers: Add another one-third of the sauce mixture on top of the cheese dollops, followed by the remaining uncooked pasta, and then additional dollops of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top Layer: Finish by covering the layered ingredients with the remaining sauce mixture, making sure the top is thoroughly covered to allow the pasta to cook fully.
- Add Mozzarella and Herbs: Sprinkle the freshly grated mozzarella cheese over the top layer and garnish with additional chopped basil and parsley.
- Cook: Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours. This allows the pasta to cook fully and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve: Stir the baked ziti gently just before serving to distribute the layers. Serve alongside your favorite garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure easier mixing and a smoother texture in the cheese mixture.
- Using uncooked pasta requires sufficient liquid in the sauce to allow proper cooking during the slow cooker process.
- If using a low or medium slow cooker setting, increase cooking time to 6-7 hours and check pasta tenderness before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage alternatives.
- Adjust seasoning and herbs to your taste preference, fresh herbs offer more vibrant flavors.