The Ultimate Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe: A Family Favorite Crockpot Meal

Say goodbye to endless oven-watching and complicated layering! This Slow Cooker Lasagna, also known as Crockpot Lasagna, is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that promises rich flavor, comforting layers, and minimal fuss. Imagine tender pasta, a hearty meat sauce, and a creamy cheese blend, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It’s a tried-and-tested recipe that your entire family will absolutely adore, making busy weeknights a breeze.

It’s time to dust off that trusty slow cooker because this recipe is about to become a permanent fixture in your family’s dinner rotation. While modern kitchen gadgets like Instant Pots and air fryers have gained immense popularity, there’s an undeniable charm and convenience to the humble slow cooker. The ability to simply combine your ingredients, set the timer, and return hours later to a perfectly cooked, piping hot meal is truly invaluable – especially on those hectic days when time is a luxury.

This slow cooker lasagna isn’t just easy; it’s packed with layers of savory meat sauce and an irresistible blend of cheeses, all coming together in a symphony of flavors that evoke classic Italian comfort. If you’re a fan of effortless, delicious meals, you’ll also love our Slow Cooker Pot Roast, featuring fork-tender beef and flavorful vegetables. Another slow cooker gem is this Hearty Beef Stew, perfect for a cozy evening. And for a quick weeknight option, our Easy Taco Soup can be made on the stovetop or, you guessed it, in the slow cooker!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Crockpot Lasagna

This slow cooker lasagna recipe is designed to simplify your life without compromising on taste. Here are just a few compelling reasons why it deserves a spot in your recipe book:

• Effortless Make-Ahead Meal: Prepare it the night before or in the morning, then simply turn on your slow cooker. It’s perfect for entertaining or busy schedules.
• Freezer-Friendly Solution: Cook a big batch and freeze portions for quick, homemade dinners on demand. Ideal for meal prepping!
• No-Boil Noodles (The Right Way!): Forget pre-boiling! This recipe uses uncooked lasagna noodles that soften and cook perfectly right in the slow cooker, absorbing all the delicious sauce flavors.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need any fancy items. All ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: Prefer a little kick? Easily spice up your lasagna by opting for a hot Italian sausage or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• True “Set-It-and-Forget-It” Cooking: With a cooking time of 4-6 hours on low, you can leave it to simmer while you go about your day, returning to a fully cooked, delectable dinner.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: Lasagna is a quintessential comfort food, and this slow cooker version delivers all the hearty, cheesy goodness you crave without the traditional effort.

Essential Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Lasagna

Creating an incredibly flavorful lasagna starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

Hearty Meat Sauce Base

• Italian Sausage and Lean Ground Beef: We use a combination of both for maximum flavor and texture. The Italian sausage brings a wonderful depth with its savory seasonings, while the lean ground beef provides a classic, hearty base. If you can only find Italian sausage in casings, simply remove them before browning the meat. Using lean ground beef helps prevent your lasagna from becoming overly greasy.
• Jarred Pasta Sauce: For ultimate convenience without sacrificing flavor, a good quality jarred marinara sauce is key. Choose your favorite brand, or splurge on a premium one to truly elevate the taste of your lasagna. This saves significant time without compromising the robust tomato base.
• Onion and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses are non-negotiable for building a flavorful sauce. Chopped onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth, while minced garlic provides that essential pungent kick that makes Italian dishes sing.

Rich Cheese Layers

• Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta is my go-to for lasagna because of its creamy texture and ability to bind the layers beautifully. It creates that signature soft, rich cheese layer that contrasts wonderfully with the meat sauce. If you prefer, cottage cheese can be used as a substitute, but ensure you drain any excess liquid for a firmer texture.
• Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese: You can never have enough cheese in lasagna! Shredded mozzarella melts into luscious, stringy layers, while grated Parmesan adds a sharp, salty punch that complements the other flavors. I highly recommend using whole milk mozzarella for a creamier, more luxurious melt.
• Large Eggs: Eggs are essential in the ricotta mixture, acting as a binder to hold the cheese layer together as it cooks, preventing it from becoming crumbly.
• Italian Seasoning: A generous tablespoon of Italian seasoning, added to the cheese mixture, infuses the lasagna with classic Mediterranean herbs, tying all the flavors together.

The Noodles

• Regular Lasagna Noodles (Uncooked): This is a crucial point for slow cooker lasagna! Use standard, uncooked lasagna noodles. They will absorb moisture from the sauce as they cook in the slow cooker, becoming perfectly tender. Pre-cooking them will result in a mushy texture. Similarly, “no-boil” noodles are often too thin and can become overly soft or gummy in the slow cooker, so it’s best to stick to traditional uncooked noodles.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna

Making lasagna in the slow cooker is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, brown your ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion has softened and become translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant – be careful not to burn it! Finally, stir in your favorite jarred pasta sauce, ensuring everything is well combined. Remove the skillet from the heat.

2. Create the Creamy Cheese Mixture

In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the large eggs, and the Italian seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. This will form the luscious, creamy layers of your lasagna.

3. Assemble and Cook

Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Begin layering your lasagna according to the instructions below. Once all layers are assembled, cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours. The exact time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker, so keep an eye on it after 4 hours. Once cooked, let the lasagna stand for about 15 minutes, uncovered, before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for easier, cleaner slicing.

Mastering the Layers: A Visual Guide

Proper layering is key to a well-structured and delicious lasagna. Here’s the ideal sequence for your slow cooker lasagna:

1. Spread approximately 1½ cups of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the lightly greased slow cooker. This prevents the noodles from sticking and provides a flavorful base.
2. Place 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, breaking them as needed to fit the circular or oval shape of your slow cooker. Don’t worry if they overlap slightly.
3. Top these noodles with one-third of the remaining meat sauce, spreading it evenly.
4. Spoon half of your creamy cheese mixture over the meat sauce, gently spreading it out.
5. Add another layer of 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.
6. Top with more meat sauce (another third of the remaining amount).
7. Follow with the remaining half of the cheese mixture, spreading it to the edges.
8. Place the final 4 uncooked lasagna noodles on top, breaking them as needed.
9. Finish with the remaining meat sauce.
10. Generously sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a beautiful, golden crust.

This layering ensures a perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite, with the noodles cooking through perfectly in the rich sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slow Cooker Lasagna

Expert Tips for Slow Cooker Lasagna Success

Achieve slow cooker lasagna perfection with these helpful suggestions and tips:

• Easy Clean-Up: To make clean-up a breeze, consider using a slow cooker liner. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or oil before you start layering the ingredients.
• Noodle Choice Matters: As mentioned, do not use “no-boil” lasagna noodles or pre-cook your regular noodles. In our testing, both methods resulted in a mushy and unappealing texture in the slow cooker. Stick to regular, uncooked lasagna noodles for the best results, as they absorb just the right amount of liquid from the sauce. This recipe has not been tested with gluten-free noodles, so results may vary.
• Monitor Cooking Time: While the recipe suggests 4-6 hours on LOW, slow cookers can vary significantly in temperature. Get to know how your specific appliance cooks. It’s generally not recommended to cook this lasagna for longer than 6 hours on LOW, as it can start to scorch on the bottom or edges.
• Slow Cooker Size: This recipe is designed for a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. If you have a smaller slow cooker (e.g., 4-quart), you will need to halve the recipe to ensure it fits and cooks properly. Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking or spills.
• Let it Rest: Don’t skip the 15-minute resting period after cooking! This allows the lasagna to firm up slightly, making it much easier to slice and serve neat portions without the layers sliding apart.
• Evenly Spread Sauce: Ensure a good layer of sauce at the bottom and between noodle layers. This not only adds flavor but also provides the moisture necessary for the uncooked noodles to cook properly.

Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Lasagna

This hearty slow cooker lasagna pairs beautifully with a variety of simple side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• For a fresh and vibrant contrast, serve it alongside our Simple Roasted Green Beans or a crisp, fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette. Or, why not both for a truly balanced plate!
• To soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce, we highly recommend a warm, crusty bread. Our Rosemary Parmesan Bread is an excellent choice, as are these savory Garlic Cheddar Biscuits.
• For another fantastic salad option, try this Panzanella Salad with Mozzarella. It’s loaded with fresh tomatoes and bread, making it perfect for capturing all the yummy flavors.

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Slow Cooker Lasagna

This Slow Cooker Lasagna, also known as Crockpot Lasagna, is a fantastic make-ahead meal that will quickly become a family favorite. Layers of tender noodles, a rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese are all cooked together in your slow cooker – just set it and forget it! Tested and perfected for your convenience.

Servings: 8

Author: Malinda Linnebur

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 4-6 hrs (on LOW)

Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins – 6 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
• 1 pound (500g) Italian sausage (casings removed if applicable)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced (or 2-3 for more flavor)
• 2 (25 ounce / 720g) jars marinara sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 (15 ounce / 425g) container ricotta cheese
• 4 cups (455g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1¼ cups (130g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 10-11 regular lasagna noodles (uncooked, not “no-boil”)

Instructions

1. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage with the chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
2. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the eggs, and the Italian seasoning. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Assemble Lasagna: Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Spread about 1½ cups of the meat sauce mixture on the bottom of the slow cooker.
4. Place 3 uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them as needed to fit the shape of your slow cooker. Top with about one-third of the remaining meat sauce.
5. Next, spoon half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the meat sauce.
6. Place another layer of 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking to fit. Top with another third of the meat sauce.
7. Spoon the remaining cheese mixture over this layer.
8. Add the final layer of 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking to fit. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
9. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
10. Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. The lasagna is done when the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the lasagna stand, uncovered, for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and serve.

Notes

1. Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the lasagna in your slow cooker up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Before cooking, remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to prevent stoneware from cracking.
2. Freezing Instructions: Allow completely cooled lasagna to transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
3. Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
4. Smaller Slow Cooker: If using a slow cooker smaller than 6 quarts, you will need to halve this recipe.
5. Noodle Recommendation: For best results, use regular, uncooked lasagna noodles. “No-boil” noodles often turn out mushy in the slow cooker.

Nutrition

(Per serving, estimated)

• Calories: 906 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 65g
• Fat: 54g
• Saturated Fat: 27g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0.4g
• Cholesterol: 234mg
• Sodium: 1853mg
• Potassium: 611mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Vitamin A: 969 IU
• Vitamin C: 2mg
• Calcium: 1296mg
• Iron: 3mg