Description
Comfort meets convenience in this lazy day crock-pot lasagna, a hearty Italian-inspired dish that simplifies classic layers of rich flavors. Cheesy, meaty, and effortlessly prepared, you’ll savor every bite of this slow-cooked masterpiece without hours of kitchen work.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
Dairy:
- 12 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients:
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, incorporating diced onions and minced garlic until meat is completely browned and aromatic.
- Pour pasta sauce into the skillet, thoroughly blending with the cooked meat mixture, then set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper until well combined.
- Layer the bottom of the crock-pot with uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit the circular shape if necessary.
- Spread a generous portion of the meat sauce over the noodles, ensuring complete coverage.
- Dollop the cheese mixture evenly across the meat sauce layer, creating a creamy texture throughout.
- Repeat layering process: noodles, meat sauce, and cheese mixture until ingredients are exhausted, typically creating 2-3 complete layers.
- Cover crock-pot and cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours, allowing flavors to meld and noodles to become tender.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top for a golden, melted finish.
- Let lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier lasagna without compromising flavor.
- Layer ingredients carefully to ensure even distribution of meat sauce and cheese mixture throughout the Crock-Pot.
- Consider using no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify preparation and prevent soggy texture during slow cooking.
- Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, diet-friendly version of this classic comfort dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (in Crock-Pot)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg