Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe – Slow Cooker Comfort Food

Easy Crockpot Lasagna

Crockpot lasagna is the ultimate comfort food that practically makes itself. This slow cooker version layers tender noodles, rich cheese, and savory meat sauce into a delicious dish that feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Simply layer everything in the morning and come home to a perfectly cooked lasagna that tastes like it simmered all day.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic in a skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, then drain excess fat.
2. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, parmesan, and egg.
4. Spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
5. Break noodles to fit and layer 3 noodles over the sauce.
6. Spread half the ricotta mixture over noodles, then add half the remaining meat sauce.
7. Layer 3 more noodles, the rest of ricotta mixture, and remaining meat sauce.
8. Top with final 3 noodles and remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
9. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Practical Tips

• Keep layers intact: Do not stir the lasagna while cooking. Resist the urge to peek and mix, as this breaks apart the carefully layered noodles and cheese.
• Use uncooked noodles: Regular lasagna noodles cook perfectly in the slow cooker without pre-boiling, saving you time and cleanup.
• Break noodles strategically: Breaking the noodles to fit the crockpot shape ensures even cooking and makes serving easier than trying to fit whole noodles.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes until heated through.

Common Questions

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles? Yes, no-boil noodles work well in this recipe and will cook properly during the slow cooking time.

What if my crockpot is smaller? You can reduce the recipe by half and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or adjust the noodle layers to fit your specific crockpot size.

Can I make this ahead? Absolutely. Assemble the lasagna in a slow cooker insert the night before, refrigerate it, and cook on low the next day, adding an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time.