Seven-ingredient slow cooker lasagna is the answer to busy weeknights and lazy weekends.
Layers of ground beef, lasagna noodles, and 3 kinds of cheese are slow-cooked in pasta sauce for the quickest, easiest version of lasagna.
This Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe Will Be on Repeat Because…
- Nothing beats a classic Italian dish with rich meaty pasta sauce and hearty noodles.
- Combining mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta cheese gives this a rich, tangy, slightly sweet, and cheesy filling.
- Finished off with a top layer of golden brown melted cheese, it will be so hard to resist.
- It’s made simply and conveniently in the slow cooker, no need for an oven!
Ingredients & Variations
Meat: Any meat works in lasagna, so this is a great recipe for repurposing leftover beef, turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage. If using fresh ground beef, try bumping up the flavor with this homemade seasoning blend.
Sauce: Choose any flavor of jarred pasta or marinara sauce you like. Season your sauce with extra Italian seasonings or toss in a few red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
Cheese Filling: What’s an authentic lasagna without loads of ooey, gooey cheese? Switch out the ricotta for budget-friendly small-curd cottage cheese. Grate mozzarella from a block instead of buying pre-shredded that has anti-caking agents in it which prohibits a perfect melt.
Variations: Layer in sliced mushrooms, sliced zucchini, chopped bell peppers, spinach, or any veggies cut into small pieces if desired.
How to Make Lasagna in the Slow Cooker
- Prep pasta sauce mixture and cheese mixture (recipe below) in separate bowls.
- Layer meat sauce, noodles, and cheese in the slow cooker ending with meat sauce on top.
- Cover and cook.
- Top slow cooker lasagna with remaining cheeses and cook until melted.
- Broil the cheese for 2-3 minutes if desired.
Holly’s Best Tips
- When cooking the ground beef, be sure to break it up into small pieces so it layers better. I love using my meat chopper to make easy work of this!
- If your lasagna noodles are too big, it’s okay to break them up to fit the slow cooker.
- Be sure to let the lasagna rest uncovered for about 20 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set up, making it easier to serve.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover slow cooker lasagna in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (it tastes even better as leftovers).
Reheat portions in the microwave or freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Try More of My Favorite Pasta Dishes!
Did you love this easy slow cooker lasagna? Leave a comment and a rating below!
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (1¾ cups)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated, divided
- 1 egg
- 6 lasagna noodles uncooked
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet; drain any fat. Stir in pasta sauce.
- In a medium bowl mix ricotta, 1½ cups mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and egg.
- Spoon ⅓ of the meat sauce into the bottom of a greased 6QT slow cooker. Lay 3 noodles overtop (broken to fit), followed by half of the cheese mixture.
- Layer another ⅓ of the meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce in that order.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until liquid is absorbed.
- Sprinkle with remaining cheeses; let stand, covered for 10 minutes or until melted. Optionally, broil the cheese for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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REPIN this Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe
Can I make this in my Casserole Crockpot or does it have to be a 6qt type Crockpot?
Any slow cooker should work. If your lasagna is thinner (in a larger slow cooker), check it at the lower end of the time range for cooking. Enjoy Cyreise!
I have never seen this done in a slow cooker. This is great! Thanks for this recipe, my hubby will probably want to cook this himself. Win-win.
LOL, yes, win-win!
I would be suspicious of anybody that doesn’t like lasagna. I like this recipe, as lasagna can be a pretty entailed recipe, but you make it a great easy recipe.
Someone doesn’t like lasagna?? Yes, this is an easy version of a delicious dish! Enjoy, Ben.
A classic dish made in the crock pot sounds right up my alley! Pinning!!!
Thank you for pinning this great lasagna dish Jacque!
YUM YUM YUM! What a fantastic idea! I like this! This looks sooooo good! Is good food and this looks like one of the BEST! I can’t WAIT to try this! Thank you for this great recipe!
You’re welcome! Enjoy Veena!
Drooling! I haven’t had breakfast yet and now I want lasagna! It’s never too early, right???
Leftovers for breakfast maybe?!
Can I use no boil lasagna noodles in this recipe?
I use regular lasagna noodles, not the no boil variety. Enjoy Joanna!