All the taste and comfort that you love in this classic dish made simple with the use of a crockpot!
Course Crockpot Meals, Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Crockpot Lasagna, Lasagna in the Crockpot, Slow Cooker Lasagna, The Best Crockpot Lasagna
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 3 hourshours30 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Equipment
1 6 Quart or larger crockpot (slow cooker)
1 Large Pan for making the sauce in
Ingredients
1tbspOlive Oil
1mediumYellow Onion, Diced
7-8Garlic Cloves, minced
1lbGround Beef or any type of ground meat you prefer
1tspKinders the Blend Seasoning Or any other salt, pepper, garlic blend
1tspDried Oregano
1tspDried Basil
Pinch of Red Pepper Flakesoptional for a hint of heat
1tbspTomato Paste
48ozMarinara Sauce
1/2Cup Water
15ozRicotta Cheese
2Large Eggs
1CupGrated Parmesan Cheese
10-12Dry Lasagna sheets
4-5 CupsFreshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese
Dried Parsley
Instructions
In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Saute the diced onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pan and season with half of the seasonings listed above. Once fully cooked, drain the excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the tomato paste and let that cook down for 3 minutes then add in the marinara sauce. Fill the jar with the water, shake it up and pour it into the pan. Season with the rest of the seasonings listed above and add salt and pepper if needed.
Make the ricotta mixture by mixing together the ricotta, the eggs and the parmesan cheese. Sprinkle in some dried parsley for a pop of color. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce into the bottom of the crockpot. Next, lay down a layer of dry lasagna noodles. You will need to break them up for them to fit. On top of the noodles, spread a generous layer of the ricotta, followed by a layer of the mozzarella.
Repeat the layers until you have used up all of the ingredients. Be sure to end with a layer of mozzarella on top. Garnish with some dried parsley.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 3-4. It is done when the lasagna noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and golden.
Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps it hold its shape while scooping it out.
Notes
Tips:• Don’t skip the water: Adding water to the sauce ensures that the noodles soften perfectly as they cook. • Cheese variations: Feel free to add layers of shredded Italian cheeses or even a bit of provolone for a richer flavor. • Make it ahead: You can assemble the lasagna in the crockpot the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, just set it on low and let it cook throughout the day.Feel free to customize the recipe to your family’s taste. Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, or swap the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility.