

Photos by Anna Jahraus.
Photos by Anna Jahraus.
The first recipe I ever committed to memory (aside from grilled cheese and the instructions on a ramen noodle packet) was baked ziti. I was still a teenager, and I was so impressed with myself that I even remembered what temperature to set the oven to. It has always been one of my favorite meals, and that was partly because it was so easy to make.
Imagine my surprise when I found out there was an even easier way to prepare it!
This recipe is little more than layering ingredients and pushing a few buttons on your slow cooker. There’s no need to boil your noodles ahead of time, as the sauce does the job for you. It’s also pretty easy to adjust to your preferences. Are you a mozzarella fan? Go ahead and add a little more! Not crazy about ricotta? Then you could cut out a layer or two. I know it’s not technically baked ziti at this point, as there’s no oven involved, but this dish tastes just as good as its classic counterpart, and it’s perfect for those lazy nights where you just don’t feel like cooking. //