Description
Delightful slow cooker lasagna emerges as a comforting classic that simplifies traditional Italian cuisine. Layered with rich cheese, savory meat, and aromatic herbs, you’ll savor each hearty bite of this effortless family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Dairy and Cheese:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Noodles:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with onions until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes to enhance flavor profiles.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Create ricotta mixture by combining ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Whisk until smooth and well-integrated.
- Prepare slow cooker by lightly greasing the insert with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Establish the first foundation layer by spreading a thin meat sauce coating across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Arrange lasagna noodles over the sauce, carefully breaking pieces to ensure complete coverage if necessary.
- Layer half the ricotta mixture atop the noodles, followed by a generous meat sauce portion and mozzarella cheese sprinkle.
- Repeat layering process, alternating noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and cheese until ingredients are depleted.
- Conclude with a final meat sauce layer, topped with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, ensuring noodles become tender and cheese melts completely.
- Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after cooking to facilitate easier slicing and serving.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before presenting this comforting, slow-cooked dish.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier protein option that keeps the dish nutritious and delicious.
- Break uncooked lasagna noodles strategically to ensure complete coverage in the slow cooker, preventing any dry spots and creating a perfectly uniform layer.
- Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella to reduce overall fat content without compromising the creamy, cheesy texture that makes lasagna irresistible.
- Drain excess fat from browned meat to prevent a greasy final dish and ensure a cleaner, more refined flavor profile in your slow cooker lasagna.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg