Crockpot Lasagna

Introduction

Forget babysitting a hot oven and endless pots—this Crockpot Lasagna brings all the classic comfort to your table with the ultimate hands-off approach. You simply layer the ingredients and let your slow cooker do all the work, resulting in a perfectly melty, deeply flavorful meal. It’s the ideal solution for feeding a crowd on a busy day without sacrificing an ounce of that traditional lasagna taste.

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 coarse 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 coarse black pepper.
4. Lightly grease the insert of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
5. To assemble, spread about 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them to fit as needed.
6. Spread with half of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 ⅓ cups of the mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Spoon about 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the cheeses.
7. Repeat the layers: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, 1 ⅓ cups mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, and another 1 ½ cups meat sauce.
8. Top with a final layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
9. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top, cover again, and let melt.
10. Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and let the lasagna stand, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows it to set for cleaner slices.

Variations

• Vegetable Boost: Add a layer of thinly sliced zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms between the cheese and sauce layers for extra veggies.
• No-Prep Noodles: Use oven-ready lasagna noodles for guaranteed no-stick, no-boil convenience.
• Meatless Option: Omit the sausage and beef, replacing them with a mixture of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and lentils for a hearty vegetarian version.
• Individual Servings: Layer the ingredients in small, greased oven-safe dishes that fit inside your slow cooker. Stack them carefully and cook as directed.

Tips for Success

• Letting the lasagna rest after cooking is crucial; it firms up and makes serving much easier.
• If using regular (not oven-ready) noodles, ensure they are fully covered with sauce to prevent hard, uncooked edges.
• A slow cooker liner can make cleanup incredibly fast and easy.

Storage & Reheating

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions, covered with foil, in a 350°F oven until heated through. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months.

FAQ

Can I use all ground beef instead of the sausage/beef mix?

Yes, you can use 1.5 lbs of ground beef. The flavor will be less complex, but still delicious.

Do I need to boil the noodles first?

No, the noodles cook directly in the slow cooker with the sauce. Just use them uncooked as directed.

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before starting the 3-hour cook time.

My slow cooker runs hot. What should I do?

If you know your appliance runs hot, check the lasagna at the 2.5-hour mark. The edges should be bubbling and a knife should easily pierce the noodles.

Why is there sugar in the sauce?

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

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Absolutely. For the basil, use about 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh basil added at the end of the sauce simmering time. For the parsley in the ricotta, use 2 teaspoons fresh minced.