Slow cookers have been a little neglected with the popularity of Instant Pots and air fryers, but let’s not forget why we love them in the first place – you can set it and forget it until dinner time (like Crockpot Chili), so it’s ready when you are. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
You’ll Love this Crockpot Lasagna
Lasagna in the slow cooker is one of my favorite Sunday lunch ideas. You can assemble it a day ahead and refrigerate, then turn it on before heading off to church and have it ready when you get home. It works perfectly because we love our leisurely Sunday morning pace and it’s great to know I already have lunch figured out. I took a crockpot of this yummy lasagna casserole over to my parent’s house one Sunday afternoon for our weekly family lunch and everyone in my family (young and old-ish) was completely smitten with it. This is a KEEPER!!
Ingredients for Crockpot Lasagna
Ground Beef – The best beef for lasagna should have about 20% fat contentOnion & Garlic – aromatics that give deep flavor and aromaSalt, Pepper & Oregano – simple pantry staples are all you needRed wine adds incredible flavor to the meat sauceMarinara – use a high quality store-bought marinara, or homemade marinaraParsley – added to the meat sauce and cheese sauceLasagna Noodles – Use regular uncooked lasagna noodles (NOT “oven ready). Cheese – This lasagna combines 3 cheeses. The cottage cheese might surprise you but takes the cheese sauce to the next level.A little water is added to help with hot spots and to cook more evenly. If your crockpot is prone to hot spots, consider using a slow cooker liner or a different slow cooker.
How to Make Crockpot Lasagna
- In a large deep pan over medium heat, saute the ground beef and onion for 5 min or until no longer pink, breaking it up with your spatula. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute then add 1/4 cup red wine and simmer until nearly evaporated (5 min).
- Add 3 cups marinara, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp sugar and 2 Tbsp chopped parsley. Mix well, cover and simmer 5 min while you stir together your cheese sauce.
- For the cheese sauce: In a medium bowl, combine 15 oz ricotta, 16 oz cottage cheese (un-drained), 1 large egg, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 2 Tbsp parsley. Mix well.
- Lightly oil your slow cooker. Spread 1 cup marinara on the bottom then add 3 noodles, breaking to fit. Top with 1/3 of the Meat Sauce, sprinkle on 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, then spread with 1/2 of your cheese sauce and repeat until you have 3 layers of noodles. Top with remaining meat sauce, 3/4 cup mozzarella and pour 1/2 cup water around the edges, allowing some of it to go down the side of the dish into the lasagna.
- Cover and cook on LOW 3 1/2 to 4 hours**. If desired, soak up any excess oil with a paper towel then sprinkle on the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella, cover and cook for 10 minutes to melt the cheese. Let the lasagna rest 15 minutes before serving, otherwise, it will be blazing hot and too loose to serve. What’s the best slow cooker? We used a 6 Quart programmable slow cooker when I took these photos. We have since upgraded to an 8 Quart crockpot. Note: If you use a 3 quart, you will need to cut the recipe in half and break the noodles in half so they fit easier into the crockpot.
Crock Pot Lasagna Layers
Here is a visual reference on how to assemble a slow cooker lasagna in order of adding to the crockpot. I follow this list every time.
1 cup marinara – spread on the bottom 3 noodles (broken to fit)1/3 of the meat sauce3/4 cup grated mozzarella1/2 ricotta cheese sauce3 noodles1/3 meat sauce3/4 cup of grated mozzarella1/2 ricotta cheese sauce3 noodles1/3 meat sauce3/4 cup of grated mozzarella (refrigerate remaining cheese)1/2 cup water around the edgesAfter 4 hours, top with 3/4 cup of grated mozzarella
Common Questions
A great big cheesy slice for me, please! I hope your whole family falls in love with this Crockpot Lasagna recipe. It’s one of the easiest dinners and one that the kids always enjoy. Meat sauce, cheese sauce, melty cheese between the layers – what’s not to love?
More Crockpot Recipes
Pork Carnitas – Mexican pulled porkSlow Cooker Beef Chili – it doesn’t get any easierCrockpot BBQ Chicken – delicious in sandwichesSlow Cooker Bolognese Sauce is perfect over any pastaCrockpot Pulled Pork is so tender and saucySlow Cooker Chicken Tacos for taco Tuesday
