Crockpot Lasagna

Introduction

This Crockpot Lasagna lets you enjoy all the comforting, layered flavors of the classic dish with minimal fuss. You simply brown the meat, layer everything in your slow cooker, and let it do the work, resulting in perfectly tender noodles and a rich, bubbly cheese topping. It’s the ultimate hands-off meal for busy days or when you need to feed a crowd.

Prep & Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 180 minutes (3 hours)

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 15

Ingredients

• ½ lb lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready, uncooked)
• 1 lb Italian sausage (bulk, or links with casings removed)
• ½ lb ground beef
• 1 cup onion (chopped, about 1 large onion)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 28 oz can of tomatoes (cut up, undrained)
• 12 oz can of tomato paste
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil leaves
• ⅕ teaspoon fennel seed
• ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes (or 2 teaspoon fresh minced parsley)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat.
2. Stir in the undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, dried basil, fennel seed, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, parsley flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well.
4. Spread about 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
5. Layer in this order over the sauce: 3-4 uncooked lasagna noodles (broken to fit as needed), ⅓ of the ricotta mixture, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
6. Repeat the layering process (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan) two more times.
7. Top with the final portion of meat sauce, ensuring noodles are fully covered. Sprinkle any remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours, or until noodles are tender and the lasagna is heated through and bubbly at the edges. Uncover and let stand for 15-20 minutes before serving to set.

Variations

• Vegetable Boost: Add a layer of thinly sliced zucchini, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms between the noodle and ricotta layers.
• No-Boil Method: If using regular (not oven-ready) noodles, dipping them in hot water for 30 seconds before layering can ensure they soften perfectly.
• Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage instead of mild and add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Individual Portions: Layer the ingredients in small, oven-safe bowls or ramekins placed in the crockpot for single-serve lasagnas.

Tips for Success

• Ensure the noodles are completely covered with sauce in each layer to prevent them from drying out or staying hard.
• Letting the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking is crucial for clean slices.
• If your crockpot tends to run hot, check for doneness around the 2.5-hour mark to avoid overcooking.

Storage & Reheating

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm larger portions, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven until heated through.

FAQ

Can I use only ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute the 1 lb Italian sausage with an additional 1 lb of ground beef for a total of 1.5 lbs ground beef.

Do I really not need to boil the noodles?

What size crockpot is best?

Why is there sugar in the sauce?

The sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a more rounded and rich flavor.

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna in the crockpot insert the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting the 3-hour cook time.

My noodles are still hard. What happened?

This usually means the noodles weren’t fully covered with sauce during layering. For the next batch, be generous with the sauce on the top and bottom of each noodle layer.