Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion
finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic)
(minced, pressed, chopped from jar, or garlic paste
- 2 jars marinara pasta sauce
24 oz each
- 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
divided
- 1 container ricotta cheese
15 oz
- 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 13-15 uncooked lasagna noodles
Directions
- 1
Spray the insert of a 6 QT or 7 QT slow cooker with cooking spray.
- 2
In a skillet pan, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is no longer pink. Drain the excess grease from the pan.
- 3
Stir in the marinara sauce until combined. Let this mixture simmer while you prepare the rest.* You may need to turn the heat down to medium-low or low if it starts to splatter.
- 4
In a mixing bowl, stir together half of the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, half of the parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- 5
Layer The LasagnaSpread 1¼ cups of the ground beef pasta sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. - Layer 1 : Top the sauce with lasagna noodles, breaking them as needed in order to create an even layer of noodles. - Layer 2 : Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. - Layer 3 : Top with 1¼ cups of the ground beef pasta sauce. Keep alternating the layers of lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, and ground beef pasta sauce until you're on your last layer of lasagna noodles. Top the last layer of lasagna noodles with the remaining ground beef pasta sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top (the remaining half of mozzarella cheese + remaining half of parmesan cheese).
- 6
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours or until the noodles are cooked to your preference (al dente or softer). * Mine is usually done around 5 hours.
Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna
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About this Recipe
Craving that comforting, cheesy lasagna but dreading the usual kitchen marathon? This Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe is your answer, transforming a classic into a remarkably simple weeknight meal with minimal fuss.
This recipe works by harnessing the gentle, even heat of your slow cooker to cook everything together, effortlessly. The ingenious part? You layer uncooked lasagna noodles directly into the slow cooker, where they slowly absorb the rich marinara sauce and meld with the savory beef and creamy cheese mixtures. This unique approach means no pre-boiling noodles and a dramatically reduced active cooking time, allowing the flavors to deepen beautifully as it cooks.
Get ready to enjoy a deeply satisfying lasagna with tender, perfectly cooked noodles and a rich, robust sauce. Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of seasoned ground beef, vibrant marinara, and three distinct cheeses—creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and salty Parmesan. It's a hearty, comforting dish that tastes like it took hours of effort, but truly lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. The result is a wonderfully cohesive and flavorful meal that's perfect for feeding a hungry family.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to adapt this slow cooker lasagna to your family's preferences. Instead of ground beef, consider using ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. You can also easily incorporate finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach into the meat sauce for added nutrition. Don't have Parmesan? A Pecorino Romano cheese can offer a similar salty bite. For an even richer flavor, experiment with different marinara sauces—a spicy arrabiata or a roasted garlic variety can add a delightful twist.
This lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, ideal for cozy family dinners, casual gatherings, or as a hearty meal to enjoy during cooler weather. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.