Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
Introduction
This easy crockpot lasagna is a comforting, hands-off meal perfect for busy days. Layers of meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles slow-cook together to create a deliciously rich dish without the fuss of the oven.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning (divided in half)
- 24 ounce can roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 2½ cups small curd cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked, not no-boil)
- Fresh minced parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink.
- Step 2: Drain any excess grease, then add the spaghetti sauce, beef broth, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, combine 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, the remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and egg in a bowl. Stir well to mix.
- Step 5: Spray the bottom and sides of your crockpot with cooking spray and begin layering.
- Step 6: Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the crockpot.
- Step 7: Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Depending on your crockpot’s shape, break two noodles to fit and leave one whole in the middle.
- Step 8: Spread 1 cup of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Step 9: Repeat the layering process, alternating meat sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture until all ingredients are used. You should have about four layers total.
- Step 10: Top the final noodle layer with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Step 11: Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours, or until noodles are soft and have absorbed the liquid. Check tenderness by lifting a noodle with a fork or cutting it with a knife.
- Step 12: Serve warm, garnished with minced parsley if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use meat sauce with added vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to boost nutrition.
- Substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a silkier texture.
- If your crockpot runs hot, start checking for doneness at 3 hours to avoid overcooking.
- Add fresh basil or oregano in the cheese mixture for more herbal flavor.
Storage
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through or in a low oven covered with foil to retain moisture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use no-boil noodles instead?
No-boil noodles are not recommended because they may become too soft or mushy after slow cooking in the crockpot. Use uncooked traditional lasagna noodles for best texture.
Can I freeze the cooked lasagna?
Yes, this lasagna freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
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Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Crockpot Lasagna recipe combines classic flavors with the convenience of slow cooking. Ground beef simmers in a roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce and beef broth, layered with lasagna noodles, a creamy cheese mixture of mozzarella, cottage cheese, and egg, then slow cooked to perfection in a crockpot. The result is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for busy days requiring minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning (divided in half)
- 24 ounce can roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
Cheese Mixture
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided, about 16 ounces total)
- 2½ cups small curd cottage cheese (about 24 ounces)
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning (from the divided amount above)
Other
- 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked, NOT no-boil)
- Fresh minced parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease to keep the sauce from becoming too oily.
- Prepare the meat sauce: Add the roasted garlic herb spaghetti sauce, beef broth, and one tablespoon of Italian seasoning to the browned beef. Stir well to combine and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Mix the cheese filling: While the meat sauce simmers, combine 1½ cups of the mozzarella cheese, the small curd cottage cheese, one tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and the egg in a bowl. Stir thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Prepare the crockpot: Spray the bottom and sides of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer the lasagna: Spread 1 cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the crockpot. Then layer three uncooked lasagna noodles on top. Depending on your crockpot’s shape, break two noodles to fit and leave one unbroken in the center.
- Add cheese layer: Spread 1 cup of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Repeat these layers—meat sauce, noodles, cheese mixture—until all ingredients are used, aiming for four full sets of layers.
- Top with mozzarella: Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese spread over the final layer of noodles.
- Cook the lasagna: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 5 hours. The noodles will absorb the liquid and become tender. Test doneness by lifting or cutting the noodles with a fork or knife.
- Serve: Once cooked through, plate the lasagna and garnish with fresh minced parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use uncooked lasagna noodles, as no-boil noodles will become too mushy in the crockpot.
- Breaking the noodles to fit your crockpot shape helps ensure even layering and cooking.
- Check noodles for doneness after 3 hours to avoid overcooking.
- Leftover lasagna can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave or oven.
- For a lighter dish, use part-skim mozzarella and low-fat cottage cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Crockpot lasagna, slow cooker lasagna, easy lasagna recipe, ground beef lasagna, comfort food, Italian casserole
