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Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Name: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 370 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (can substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage); 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1.5 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz or 798ml, with liquid); 2.5 cups marinara sauce (can use meatless marinara for vegetarian option); 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340g) (can substitute with other short pasta); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Recipes

Jennifer Scott
September 5, 2025

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Why Make This Recipe

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty meal that brings together the delicious flavors of pasta, cheese, and savory beef. Perfect for busy days, this recipe allows you to prepare a delightful dinner with minimal effort. Just set your slow cooker in the morning or early afternoon, and come home to a warm and tasty dish that the whole family will love.

How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 can diced tomatoes (with liquid (28oz or 798ml))
2½ cups marinara sauce
2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340g)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef and onion until browned, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, salt, basil, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute.
Transfer the beef mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, sauce, and broth. Stir well.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
When ready, turn the cooker to high. Add the uncooked pasta and stir until combined.
Cover and continue cooking for 15 to 30 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Check and stir at the 15-minute mark.
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Serve the Slow Cooker Baked Ziti hot, straight from the slow cooker. This dish goes well with a side salad or garlic bread. You can also sprinkle some extra parsley or grated Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor.

How to Store Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

To store leftovers, allow the baked ziti to cool completely. Then, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just defrost before reheating.

Tips to Make Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

To make this dish even heartier, you can add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the beef mixture.
If you prefer a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the beef mixture when cooking.
You can use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef for different flavor options.

Variation

If you want to make a vegetarian version, simply omit the ground beef and substitute it with sautéed mushrooms or additional vegetables. You can also choose a meatless marinara sauce for added flavor.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any short pasta you like, such as rotini or fusilli. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.

Is it okay to use whole wheat pasta?
Absolutely! Whole wheat pasta works well in this recipe and adds extra fiber to your meal.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. Just add everything to the slow cooker the next day for easy cooking.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

A comforting and hearty meal featuring pasta, cheese, and savory beef, perfect for busy days.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Baked Ziti

1 pound ground beef can substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1.5 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 can diced tomatoes (28oz or 798ml, with liquid)
2.5 cups marinara sauce can use meatless marinara for vegetarian option
2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups dry penne or ziti pasta (340g) can substitute with other short pasta
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method

Preparation

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef and onion until browned, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, salt, basil, and parsley. Cook for 1 minute.
Transfer the beef mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, sauce, and broth. Stir well.

Cooking

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
When ready, turn the cooker to high. Add the uncooked pasta and stir until combined.
Cover and continue cooking for 15 to 30 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Check and stir at the 15-minute mark.
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Notes

Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker. This dish pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread. For extra flavor, sprinkle with parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

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Jennifer Scott

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