Easy Crockpot Baked Ziti (Printable Version)

Tender ziti layered with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and rich marinara, slow-cooked for a satisfying Italian-inspired dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 200 g uncooked ziti pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 480 ml marinara sauce

→ Cheese

03 - 250 g ricotta cheese
04 - 150 g shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 50 g grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

→ Garnish

08 - Fresh parsley for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spread 240 ml of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.
02 - Arrange half of the uncooked ziti over the marinara sauce. Spoon half of the ricotta cheese over the pasta, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella evenly.
03 - Add the remaining ziti, followed by the remaining ricotta and shredded mozzarella, creating uniform layers.
04 - Pour the remaining 240 ml marinara sauce over the top layer. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning evenly.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the pasta is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
06 - Once cooked, garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - For a browned top, transfer cooked dish to an oven-safe container and broil briefly. Add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef between layers for additional flavor.
02 - Use high-quality marinara sauce for depth of flavor. Let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking to meld flavors.