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*This is a recipe update from Day 7 of my blog way back in February of 2009! It didn’t even have a picture. This is a great beginner slow cooker recipe! Enjoy the updated recipe and photos.
This is a very easy version of a family-friendly lasagna. By using spaghetti sauce the need for extra spices is eliminated. Also, adding all the ingredients (except noodles) to one big skillet there is less mess and less prep time. If I were to make this again I would definitely use Italian sausage instead of the ground beef. It would give it a flavor boost, for sure. This is one of those recipes you can add whatever you want to as well. Add in spinach, mushrooms, peppers, or whatever else you like. Use whole wheat noodles for best results (I find mine at Walmart or Smiths).
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| Easiest Ever Slow Cooker Lasagna |
Makes 8 servings
Ideal slow cooker size: 6 quart
Cooking time: 3-5 hours on low
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained of grease (or ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage)
1 (26 oz) can spaghetti sauce
1 (14 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp salt
2 cups cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
1 egg
9 whole wheat lasagna noodles (the whole wheat noodles hold up better in the slow cooker than white noodles)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, divided
1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain beef of grease.
2. Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, salt, cottage cheese and egg.* Stir a bit. Add in 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
3. Add 1/2 cup of the meat sauce to the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Break the noodles in half to fit, if you need to.
4. Top with another 1/2 cup of sauce. Layer 3 more noodles. Top with 1/2 cup of sauce. Layer the last of the noodle. Top with the rest of the sauce.
5. Sprinkle with the cheeses (should be 1 cup of each left)
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-5 hours.
*Add in extra veggies if you desire. Some ideas are mushrooms, peppers, spinach, zucchini, etc.
I used Italian sausage and didn’t add the salt. Instead used 1/2 tsp. basil and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder. Added 4 sliced mini sweet peppers and fresh spinach in the layers. Will add mushrooms next time. It was totally cooked at 3 hours. One important step that is not mentioned in this recipe is that it must sit for about 15 minutes before serving to firm up. Otherwise, it will be runny.
cool thanks for sharing! Good tip!
I tried this recipe, being skeptical the entire time & was greatly surprised at how great it turned out! It was delicious, perfectly cooked & disappeared very quickly. It was so easy to make & clean up after, which is always a plus. I highly recommend everyone that luvs lasagna to try this recipe! Next time I make it I’m going to add squash & zucchini just as an added plus. Thank you for the recipe, it was fabulous!
you’re so welcome Deb! Thanks so much for the nice note. 🙂
Need to make a dish for a church ladies meeting, one of the ladies is a vegan and also had celiac’s. So I was thinking of using this with more veggies, no meat and gluten free noodles. Has anyone cooked with them, will they work with this?
I’d be really nervous to try it. Gluten free lasagna noodles sound a little sketchy to me. Maybe try it out before the event just to be sure it works!
This is the BEST lasagna I've ever tasted. Use the wheat noodles. One of my g/fs told me she made them according to the package directions before layering them in the crockpot! No, don't! Just break them apart DRY and layer them. Trust me, this is one I'm passing along to whoever loves lasagna. TOP TEN in my house. Thank you Karen! I adore your site.
Yes, dry noodles! No need to cook before hand! Thanks so much for the nice comment. It's going in my "favorite comments of all time" file!
You just answered all my questions! Thank you! I'm making it tonight!
We liked this. My husband wanted some more cheddar cheese with the mozarella cheese. I didn’t experience soggy noodles.
So I tried this dish today and I have to say I am not a fan. I thought the noodles were way to soggy. They just ended up being a bunch of goo. I did enjoy trying it though! Thanks!