Now it’s easier than ever to make baked ziti - right in the slow cooker! Layered with tasty marinara sauce, uncooked pasta noodles, and a seasoned cheese mixture, this crockpot comfort food is a dump-and-set recipe that the whole family will love!
48ouncesmarinara saucetwo 24 ounce jars of your favorite
16ounceszitiuncooked
2cupsmozzarella cheeseshredded or grated
Instructions
To a large bowl, add the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Stir together until fully combined.
Spray a 6 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray and pour approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce to the bottom.
Pour approximately 1/3 of the uncooked ziti noodles on top of the sauce.
Spoon approximately 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture over the ziti.
Repeat two more layers, ending with approximately 1 cup of sauce over the top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
Thirty minutes before the cook time is up, open the lid, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top and cook an additional 30 minutes without the lid.
Once the cook time is up and the mozzarella has melted, turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the pasta stand for 15-30 minutes to set up.
Notes
For a meaty version, add browned ground beef, turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage to the sauce mixture.
Use your favorite jarred marinara sauce. I like Rao's or Trader Joe's brand. If you like extra saucy, you can use up to 60 ounces of sauce.
Optional to add veggies (zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, etc.)
Penne can be used in place of ziti.
Ricotta can be used in place of cottage cheese.
Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.