If you have been searching for a comforting, easy, and utterly delicious dish to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week, this Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe will become your new favorite. Imagine tender pasta bathed in a rich, flavorful marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and gooey melted mozzarella, all cooked low and slow in your crockpot. It’s a hands-off meal that delivers incredible taste and warmth, perfect for busy days when you want the satisfaction of homemade Italian without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating a luscious, comforting casserole that’s bursting with flavor, color, and texture. These simple pantry staples come together beautifully to make an irresistible meal you’ll want to prepare again and again.
- Petite diced tomatoes (1 14oz can): Adds freshness and a vibrant chunkiness to the tomato base, balancing the smooth sauces.
- Marinara sauce (2 jars, 25 ounces each): Provides that classic Italian tomato flavor and acts as the hearty liquid that carries the dish.
- Ziti pasta (1 pound): Chosen for its tube shape which holds sauce perfectly and cooks well in a slow cooker.
- Eggs (2): Binds the ricotta mixture, helping it stay creamy without becoming watery.
- Ricotta cheese (15 ounces): Offers a creamy, rich texture and mild flavor that contrasts beautifully with the tomato sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese (2 cups, shredded): Melts into a gooey, stringy layer that everyone loves in baked pasta dishes.
- Parmesan cheese (1 cup, shredded): Adds sharp, salty depth that lifts the entire dish.
- Italian seasoning (1 tablespoon): Infuses classic herb flavors like oregano and basil for that familiar pasta taste.
How to Make Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the creamy ricotta mixture
Start by combining the ricotta cheese, eggs, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Stir these together until smooth and well-incorporated. This mixture is the secret to that rich, creamy texture that makes this dish so special.
Step 2: Mix the tomato sauces
Grab a large bowl and blend the two jars of marinara sauce with the petite diced tomatoes. Combining these gives you a perfectly balanced sauce with both smooth and chunky textures that paint the dish with bright, fresh tomato flavor.
Step 3: Combine your cheeses
Grate the Parmesan cheese if needed and mix it with the shredded mozzarella in a separate bowl. This cheese duo will create those luscious, melty layers throughout the dish, making every bite irresistible.
Step 4: Get your crockpot ready
Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. This little prep step pays off wonderfully later on!
Step 5: Layer your ingredients
Start by spooning about one-third of the sauce mixture (roughly 2 â…“ cups) into the bottom of the crockpot to create a flavorful base. Then add a third of the uncooked ziti pasta, followed by half of the ricotta mixture spread evenly over the pasta. Top that with one cup of the shredded mozzarella-Parmesan cheese blend.
Step 6: Repeat layering
Add the next third of the sauce, then another third of the uncooked pasta. Dot on the remaining ricotta mixture and spread it gently, followed by another cup of the shredded cheese blend. This layering ensures every bite is packed with cheese and sauce.
Step 7: Final layers
Place the last third of the uncooked ziti on top, then pour over the final portion of sauce, followed by the last cup of shredded cheese. This beautiful finish will turn golden and bubbly as it cooks.
Step 8: Cook low and slow
Cover your crockpot and cook the ziti on high for 3 hours or on low for about 5 hours. The exact timing can vary depending on your slow cooker, so keep an eye out for perfectly al dente pasta that’s soaked up those luscious flavors.
Step 9: Ready to enjoy
Once cooked through, serve warm straight from the crockpot. This Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe boasts comfort with minimal effort and maximum flavor, perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends.
How to Serve Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe
Garnishes
Top your ziti with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that wakes up the flavors, or add fresh basil leaves for an herby brightness. A little cracked black pepper and extra Parmesan never hurt either. These small touches elevate the dish beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve this ziti alongside a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the rich, cheesy pasta. Garlic bread or roasted vegetables like zucchini or asparagus make fantastic complementary sides to round out a hearty Italian meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress? Transfer the cooked ziti to a beautiful baking dish, top with fresh mozzarella slices, and give it a quick broil to create a bubbly golden crust. Individual ramekins for single servings make lovely presentations for dinner guests or family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover crockpot ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
Freezing
This Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to keep the pasta moist and prevent drying out during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Penne or rigatoni work just as well due to their shape that holds sauce nicely. Avoid very thin pasta like spaghetti as they may overcook and become mushy in the slow cooker.
Do I need to precook the pasta?
No need to precook the ziti; the slow cooking time softens the pasta perfectly. Just be sure to layer and cook exactly as directed for the best texture.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian. Just ensure your marinara sauce contains no meat products, and you’re good to go!
What if my crockpot is smaller or larger?
If you have a smaller crockpot, you might need to reduce ingredient quantities proportionally. Larger slow cookers can handle more, just keep the pasta-to-sauce ratio consistent.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
For a heartier meal, browned ground beef or Italian sausage can be added to the sauce mixture before layering. Cook the meat thoroughly beforehand and stir it into the sauces for a meaty twist.
Final Thoughts
If you want a comforting, soulful meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ve got to try this Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe. It’s a perfect blend of cheesy richness and savory tomato goodness, made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Trust me, once you try it, it will become a beloved staple in your dinner rotation!
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Crockpot Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crockpot Ziti Recipe is an easy, hands-off pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights. Layers of uncooked ziti pasta, ricotta cheese mixture, marinara and diced tomatoes, and shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses slow cook to a creamy, cheesy, comforting casserole with minimal effort. It’s a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Tomatoes
- 1 14oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 25-ounce jars marinara sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound ziti pasta (or penne)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare ricotta mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, and Italian seasoning; stir well until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Combine sauces and tomatoes: In a large bowl, mix both jars of marinara sauce with the can of petite diced tomatoes; set aside.
- Mix shredded cheeses: Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated, then combine it with shredded mozzarella cheese; set aside.
- Grease slow cooker: Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking.
- First layering: Pour one third (about 2 â…“ cups) of the sauce mixture into the slow cooker bottom.
- Add pasta layer: Add one third of the uncooked ziti pasta on top of the sauce layer.
- Add ricotta mixture: Dot half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer and spread gently.
- Add shredded cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese mixture over the ricotta layer.
- Add second sauce layer: Pour another 2 â…“ cups of the sauce mixture over the cheese.
- Second pasta layer: Add a second third of uncooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
- Add remaining ricotta: Dot and spread the remaining ricotta mixture evenly over this pasta layer.
- Add more shredded cheese: Sprinkle another 1 cup of the shredded cheese mixture on top.
- Final pasta layer: Add the last third of uncooked ziti pasta on top.
- Top with sauce and cheese: Cover the pasta with the remaining 2 â…“ cups of sauce mixture and finish with the last 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Cook: Cover and cook on High for 3 hours or on Low for about 5 hours until pasta is al dente and cheese is melted and bubbly. Cooking times may vary; monitor for preferred pasta texture.
- Serve: Serve the Crockpot Ziti hot, optionally topped with red pepper flakes and fresh basil for extra flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use ziti or penne pasta interchangeably as both work well in this casserole.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, drain excess liquid from diced tomatoes before adding.
- Stir gently or layer carefully to prevent breaking the pasta pieces before cooking.
- Check pasta doneness toward the end of cooking to avoid overcooking since crockpot times may vary.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat in the microwave or oven.
