Description
A simple and comforting slow cooker lasagna recipe that uses oven-ready noodles and a rich meat sauce, perfect for busy days when you want homemade Italian comfort food with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 package (9 oz) oven-ready lasagna noodles
2 cups water
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in pasta sauce and tomato sauce; simmer for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and egg until creamy.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Arrange a layer of oven-ready noodles over the sauce, breaking as needed to fit.
- Spread a portion of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Repeat layering meat sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Pour 2 cups of water around the edges of the slow cooker to help noodles cook evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until noodles are tender and fully cooked.
- About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella on top, cover again, and let it melt for a bubbly, golden finish.
Notes
Oven-ready noodles are recommended to avoid pre-boiling and ensure even cooking in the slow cooker.
Ground beef can be swapped for ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavors.
For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
Cooking on high for 2.5 to 3 hours is possible but low heat yields the best texture.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate overnight before cooking to save time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
