Crockpot Lasagna

Introduction

This Crockpot Lasagna transforms a classic comfort food into a simple, hands-off meal. By layering uncooked noodles with a rich meat sauce and creamy cheese mixture in your slow cooker, you let the appliance do all the work for you. You’ll come home to a bubbling, perfectly cooked lasagna that’s ideal for feeding a crowd.

Prep & Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 180 minutes (3 hours on High)

Total Time: 190 minutes (including final rest)

Servings: 15

Ingredients

• ½ lb lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready, uncooked)
• 1 lb Italian sausage (bulks, 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, and chopped onion until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.
2. Stir in the undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, 2 tsp salt, dried basil, fennel seed, and ¼ tsp coarse black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, dried parsley flakes, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp coarse black pepper.
4. Lightly grease the bowl of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom.
5. Arrange a single layer of uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them as needed to fit.
6. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Top with about 1.5 cups of meat sauce.
7. Repeat the layering process (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, sauce) two more times. You should have three complete layers.
8. For the final top layer, add any remaining noodles, then cover with the remaining meat sauce. Reserve the last 1 cup of mozzarella.
9. Turn off the slow cooker. Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover and let it stand for 15-20 minutes to allow the lasagna to set and the cheese to melt before serving.

Variations

• No-Boil Method: The recipe already uses uncooked noodles, but using true “oven-ready” lasagna noodles can provide even more assurance against sticking.
• Vegetable Boost: Add a layer of sautéed spinach or thinly sliced zucchini between the cheese layers for added vegetables.
• Serving Style: For a fun twist, serve scoops of the lasagna over a bed of garlic bread or inside hollowed-out bread bowls.
• Creamier Texture: Mix half of the ricotta cheese mixture directly into the meat sauce for a more uniformly creamy result.

Tips for Success

• Ensure your slow cooker is the correct size (5-6 quarts). A smaller pot will cause the layers to be too tall and not cook evenly.
• Let the lasagna rest for the full 15-20 minutes after cooking. This step is crucial for clean slices.
• For easier serving, consider using a wide, shallow spoon or a flexible silicone spatula to scoop out portions.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave until hot, or cover the baking dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes.

FAQ

Can I use only ground beef?

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

Do I really not need to boil the noodles first?

Correct! The moisture from the sauce and the sealed environment of the slow cooker will cook the regular, uncooked noodles perfectly in the time given.

Can I cook this on LOW instead?

It is not recommended for this recipe. Cooking on Low often results in soggy noodles because they sit in the liquid for too long before the heat activates. High heat for a shorter time yields the best texture.

Why is my lasagna watery?

This can happen if your canned tomatoes were particularly watery. Letting the lasagna rest after cooking allows it to absorb more liquid. You can also consider draining the canned tomatoes slightly before adding them.

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

You can layer the ingredients in the slow cooker insert up to a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking as directed.

What does “⅕ teaspoon fennel seed” mean?

It means one-fifth of a teaspoon. You can measure this by filling a ¼ teaspoon measure about 4/5 of the way full. It’s a small but key flavor component that mimics traditional Italian sausage seasoning.