Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
This Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy classic lasagna without the fuss of boiling noodles or heating the oven. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cook slowly in a crockpot, resulting in a comforting and hearty Italian-inspired meal perfect for busy days or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (high) or 6 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- Cooking spray
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 jar (650 mL) tomato sauce (sweet basil marinara)
Lasagna Layers
- 1 lb lasagna noodles (oven-ready or regular, uncooked)
- 1 tub (475g) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 jar (650 mL) tomato sauce (sweet basil marinara)
- 1/2 cup water
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until nearly cooked through. Add diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and one jar of tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and let simmer briefly.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer the Lasagna: Begin by spreading a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them if needed to fit. Spread some ricotta cheese followed by mozzarella cheese, then add more meat sauce. Repeat the layering process typically three times until the crockpot is full.
- Top and Add Water: Pour the second jar of tomato sauce over the top layer of the lasagna, sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese, and pour 1/2 cup of water around the edges of the slow cooker to help with moisture during cooking.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the lasagna with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your effortless, comforting crockpot lasagna.
Notes
- You can use either oven-ready or regular lasagna noodles, but if using regular noodles, be sure to break them to fit and add water to help them soften in the crockpot.
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and substitute with sautéed mushrooms or vegetables.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning to the meat sauce.
- Make sure to spray the slow cooker well to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Using part-skim or whole milk ricotta cheese is optional based on dietary preferences.
Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/easiest-ever-crockpot-lasagna-recipe/
