Description
This Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe is a simple, hands-off way to prepare a comforting and classic Italian dish. Using layers of ground beef, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and uncooked lasagna noodles, this slow-cooker lasagna requires minimal effort and delivers rich, hearty flavors perfect for any dinner occasion.
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 sauce)
- 1 lb lasagna noodles (oven ready or traditional, uncooked)
- 1 (475 g) tub ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 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 it starts to brown but is not fully cooked through.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Add diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and one jar of tomato sauce to the beef. Stir well and cook until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Begin layering ingredients by spreading a bit of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer Noodles and Cheeses: Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking pieces if needed to fit. Spread some ricotta cheese and sprinkle mozzarella over the noodles, then add more meat sauce on top.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and meat sauce until the slow cooker is filled, usually about three layers total.
- Top and Add Water: Pour the remaining jar of tomato sauce over the top layer and sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese. Pour water around the edges in the slow cooker to help the noodles cook evenly.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once done, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your easy crockpot lasagna!
Notes
- This recipe is hands-off once assembled, making it perfect for busy days.
- Use oven-ready noodles for easier layering and faster cooking, but traditional noodles work fine as long as you add enough water.
- Leftovers freeze well—store in airtight containers and reheat thoroughly before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms and use a vegetable-based tomato sauce.
- If desired, add extra herbs like oregano or red pepper flakes to enhance flavor.
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
