Description
Hearty Crockpot Lasagna brings layers of comfort and convenience to classic Italian cuisine. Cheesy, rich pasta stacks meld perfectly with slow-cooked goodness, promising a stress-free meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (226 grams) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Noodles:
- 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 box (9 ounces / 255 grams) lasagna noodles, uncooked
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef with onions and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until meat browns and vegetables soften, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Incorporate marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and dried herbs into the meat mixture. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to develop rich flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare cheese mixture by whisking ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and optional spinach in a separate bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed and smooth.
- Create initial base layer in crockpot by spreading a thin coating of meat sauce across the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Arrange uncooked lasagna noodles across the sauce layer, carefully breaking or trimming edges to ensure complete coverage of the crockpot base.
- Spread a generous layer of ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by an even distribution of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layering process: meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella until all ingredients are utilized, ensuring the final top layer consists of meat sauce and cheese.
- Cover crockpot and cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours, or until noodles become tender and cheese melts completely with a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Prevent Watery Sauce by draining beef thoroughly and using a thick marinara to maintain a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- Customize Noodle Texture by breaking lasagna noodles strategically to create an even, compact layer that absorbs sauce perfectly without becoming mushy.
- Enhance Nutrition by adding optional vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the ricotta mixture, boosting protein and creating a more balanced meal.
- Accommodate Dietary Needs by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version or using gluten-free noodles for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 425 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg