Crockpot Lasagna
Crockpot Lasagna is everything you love about classic lasagna—layers of saucy goodness, melty cheese, and cozy Italian flavors—made easier by letting the slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or just want dinner to feel a little more effortless, this recipe delivers big comfort with minimal work.
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Featuring a filling combo of ground beef and Italian sausage, this amazing slow cooker lasagna is so easy to throw together in just a few easy steps for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
Why this Recipe Works
Assembling and preparing a classic lasagna can sometimes be a hassle, but this crockpot lasagna is quick and easy to make! Thanks to the ingredients you know and love, you can quickly put this together in the morning and relax as it slow cooks throughout the day.
The result is a hearty and flavorful pasta dinner that's amazing for busy weeknights! The whole family will love this convenient version of the Italian pasta dish.
Can't get enough lasagna recipes? Try my White Chicken Lasagna Soup or this Taco Lasagna for other fun takes!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef: A nice lean ground beef works really well if you want a slightly lighter result.
- Ground Italian Sausage: Pairs well with the beef and adds a nice subtle sweetness to your lasagna.
- Spaghetti Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite brand or variety, or even make your own!
- Cottage Cheese: Full-fat or low-fat is fine.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat or low-fat works great.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shred your own cheese for best results.
- Lasagna Noodles: You'll want uncooked noodles for this recipe--no need to precook.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty and cheesy flavor.
How to Make this Crockpot Lasagna
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add ground beef, sausage, and onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is softened.
- Step 2: Mix in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add tomato sauce and mix to coat. Remove the meat mixture from the heat.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella, and chopped basil.
- Step 5: Add 1/3 of the meat mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Step 6: Take 3 or 4 uncooked lasagna noodles and layer them on top of the meat, breaking as needed.
- Step 7: Add half of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles.
- Step 8: Follow with another layer of meat sauce, another layer of noodles, and another layer of cheese filling. Finish with the rest of the meat and shredded cheese, then cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
Recipe Tips
- Slow cookers tend to have slightly different heat levels, so check the lasagna to make sure you don't overcook (especially if you're cooking this easy crockpot lasagna recipe on high heat).
- Feel free to use all ground beef or all sausage if you prefer.
- Serve this crockpot lasagna recipe with a side of garlic bread or dinner rolls and a nice side salad.
- Ground turkey or ground chicken can also be used for a lighter choice.
- If you have leftover lasagna, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Recipe FAQ's
Nope! One of the best parts of slow cooker lasagna is skipping that step. The noodles soften and cook right in the sauce.
Watery lasagna could mean it needs more time to cook to let all of the liquid cook out of the sauce. Be sure that your ricotta cheese isn't overly liquidy either when you add it to the slow cooker.
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Crockpot Lasagna
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (32-ounce) jar of spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese softened
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- Fresh basil
- 9-10 lasagna noodles uncooked
- Parmesan cheese
- Basil choped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and add your ground beef and italian sausage and onion, breaking it up with a wooden spoon cook until browned. Drain any extra grease.
- Add in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant.
- Add in the jarred spaghetti sauce and stir until its combined. turn off the heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the cottage cheese, cream cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, and chopped basil and mix until combined.
- Spray the crockpot with non stick cooking spray. Add 1/3 of the meat sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top breaking them in pieces to fit.
- Add 1/2 of the cheese filling on top.
- Followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce, 3 more lasagna noodles and the remaining 1/2 of the cheese filling. Then add the remaining noodles the rest of the meat mixture and the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cook on low 4-5 hours or high 2-3 hours. (see notes)
- Sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and chopped Basil.
Notes
- All slow cookers cook differently. If you're cooking on high make sure to check on it often.
- You can use all ground beef or all Italian sausage if you prefer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
