Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe – seriously delicious! Meat sauce, ziti pasta, and 3 kinds of cheese! The BEST pasta casserole EVER! Ziti pasta, marinara sauce, cottage cheese, Italian sausage, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Serve with a green salad and garlic bread. Great for dinner parties and potlucks! One bite and this easy slow cooker recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

plate of baked ziti and garlic bread on a table with text overlay

Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make purchases through links on our site.

Remember this recipe.

Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!

Pin This Recipe

BEST Baked Ziti Recipe

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti is comfort food at its finest, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Perfectly cooked ziti pasta nestled in a rich, hearty marinara sauce, and zesty Italian sausage, all loaded with layers of gooey melted mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and creamy cottage cheese. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work, making it a stress-free, hands-off meal that’s perfect for busy days or when you just want to relax. Whether it’s a family dinner or a potluck with friends, this pasta dish will steal the show and leave everyone wanting seconds. Add this to your menu ASAP!

How to Make Crockpot Baked Ziti

This pasta dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink. Drain excess grease.

In a large bowl, stir together cottage cheese, an egg, and dried parsley.

Pour half of the uncooked ziti into the bottom of a slow cooker that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Layer marinara sauce and half of the cottage cheese mixture. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese. Repeat layers.

Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW until the pasta is cooked through and the cheese is melted, on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours or on the HIGH setting for 1 to 2 hours. Garnish with fresh basil.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Can substitute ground beef, ground turkey, breakfast sausage, or turkey sausage for the Italian sausage.
My favorite store-bought pasta sauce is Rao’s. We also enjoy Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label), Rao’s, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
- You need two jars of sauce for this recipe.
This casserole uses cottage cheese. I NEVER ever eat it straight out of the container – yuck! BUT it is heavenly in casseroles. If you haven’t tried it, I really encourage you to branch out and try it. If you aren’t ready to trust the word of a tried and true picky eater, you can try and substitute ricotta cheese for cottage cheese.
You can use any type of pasta noodles that you prefer. Penne pasta is a great substitute.
Feel free to add your favorite veggies to the pasta mixture:
- Onion
- zucchini
- mushrooms
- bell pepper
- diced tomatoes
- spinach
Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

plate of baked ziti and garlic bread on a table

What to Serve with Pasta Casserole

When it comes to what to serve with this pasta I have several delicious options. First off, a green salad with creamy Italian dressing is an absolute must. It will provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty ziti. Another fabulous option is garlic bread – warm, buttery, and oh-so-garlicky, it’s the perfect vessel for soaking up any leftover sauce. And for those looking to add some greens to the table, consider serving up our Italian green bean salad or roasted asparagus. No matter what you serve with this casserole, it is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Looking for more side dish recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Vegetables