Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti - Crockpot Recipe

spoon lifting cheesy ziti from a slow cooker.

5 from 6 votes

Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti - Crockpot Recipe

Now it’s easier than ever to make cottage cheese baked ziti - right in the slow cooker! Layered with tasty marinara sauce, uncooked pasta noodles, and a seasoned cheese mixture, this crockpot baked ziti comfort food is a dump-and-set recipe that the whole family will love!

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Set Time 15

Total Time 4 30

Servings servings

Author Melissa Williams

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

16 ounces cottage cheese
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese shaved or shredded
1 large egg
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 clove minced garlic or 1 teaspoon dried garlic
48 ounces marinara sauce two 24 ounce jars of your favorite
16 ounces ziti uncooked
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded or grated

Instructions

To a large bowl, add the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Stir together until fully combined.
16 ounces cottage cheese, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 clove minced garlic
Spray a 6 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray and pour approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce to the bottom.
48 ounces marinara sauce
Pour approximately 1/3 of the uncooked ziti noodles on top of the sauce.
16 ounces ziti
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.
2 cups mozzarella cheese
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

Add cooked ground beef, turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage to the sauce for a heartier dish.
Use your favorite jarred marinara—Rao’s and Trader Joe’s are great options. For extra sauciness, use up to 60 oz.
Mix in veggies like chopped zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to boost flavor and nutrition.
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.

Nutrition