Description
This Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe offers a hands-off way to enjoy a comforting classic with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, all slow-cooked to perfection. It's simple to assemble, perfect for busy days, and freezes well for future meals.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 (650 mL) jars tomato sauce (Classico's sweet basil marinara recommended)
- 1 lb lasagna noodles (uncooked, oven ready or regular)
- 1 (475 g) tub ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup water
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb of extra-lean ground beef until almost cooked through. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and 1 jar of tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Begin layering by spreading a bit of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer the Lasagna: Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them if necessary to fit. Then add spoonfuls of ricotta cheese and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the noodles. Top with more meat sauce. Repeat these layers, usually forming three total layers, until the slow cooker is full.
- Add Final Toppings and Water: Pour the second jar of tomato sauce evenly over the top layer, then add a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. Pour 1/2 cup of water around the sides to help noodles cook evenly and prevent drying out.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 6 hours, until noodles are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the cooked lasagna with fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm and enjoy this effortless, delicious meal!
Notes
- This slow cooker lasagna is perfect for a no-fuss dinner as it requires very little hands-on time.
- Use oven-ready noodles if you want to avoid breaking the noodles, but regular uncooked noodles work well with added water and slow cooking.
- Leftovers freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or sautéed mushrooms.
- Adding a pinch of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the meat sauce enhances flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 264 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 84 mg
