Description
This Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe is a hands-off, simple way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite. With layers of ground beef, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and uncooked lasagna noodles, it slowly cooks to perfection in your slow cooker, making it an ideal meal for busy days. Easy to assemble and freezer-friendly, this comforting dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 (650 mL) jars tomato sauce (such as Classico's sweet basil marinara)
- 1 lb lasagna noodles, uncooked (oven-ready or regular)
- 1 (475 g) tub ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup water
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until almost cooked through.
- Add aromatics and sauce: Stir in diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and 1 jar of tomato sauce; combine well and simmer briefly.
- Prepare slow cooker layers: Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray. Start with a layer of meat sauce at the bottom.
- Layer noodles and cheeses: Add uncooked lasagna noodles (break pieces if needed), then spread ricotta cheese and sprinkle mozzarella over the noodles. Top with more meat sauce. Repeat layering to fill the slow cooker, usually three layers total.
- Finish layering: Pour the second jar of tomato sauce over the top layer, then sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Add water and cook: Pour 1/2 cup water around the edges of the slow cooker to help noodles cook evenly. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Garnish and serve: Once cooked, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is very hands-off and convenient for busy schedules.
- Use oven-ready noodles for easier layering and reduced cooking time.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for variation.
- The dish freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Adding water around the edges helps cook the noodles evenly without drying out the lasagna.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 264 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 84 mg
