Description
This Crockpot Ziti Recipe is a comforting, cheesy slow cooker pasta dish layered with marinara sauce, ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and tender ziti pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, it’s an easy set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers all the flavor of classic baked ziti without the effort. Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly too!
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
4 cups marinara sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess grease and season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Add half of the uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
4. Spoon half of the ricotta cheese in small dollops over the pasta.
5. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
6. Layer half of the cooked beef over the cheese.
7. Repeat the layers: sauce, pasta, ricotta, cheese, and beef.
8. Finish with a final layer of marinara and a generous topping of mozzarella.
9. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours. Avoid opening the lid frequently.
10. Check for pasta tenderness after 4 hours. When pasta is soft and cheese is melted, it’s done.
11. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
This recipe can be made with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor.
Use a good quality marinara sauce for the best taste.
Let the ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg