Crock Pot Lasagna
Wondering what to have for dinner? With our fall schedules already beginning to be added to our calendar I love to pull out my crock pot. Often I totally forget to put something on in the morning, but this recipe is perfect because it only needs a few hours in the crock pot. Add a salad and some crusty bread {oh how I love crusty bread} and you’ve got a filling meal ready on those busy days!
Slow Cooker Lasagna – 8 servings
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (26 oz) spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1 pkg (7oz) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 egg
- 2 T chopped fresh parsley
- 6 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Brown meat in large skillet, drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and water. In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 T Parmesan, egg and parsley.
Spoon 1 cup meat sauce into slow cooker; top with layers of half each of the noodles, broken to fit, and cheese mixture. Cover with 2 cups of the remaining meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles, broken to fit, cheese mixture and meat sauce. Cover with lid.
Cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses; let stand, covered, 10 min or until melted.
I have been making a similar recipe for years and it is a huge hit. Especially for me since it doesn’t take all day like my grandmother’s from scratch lasagna and even she approves. Instead of the ricotta mixture I use a jar of Alfredo sauce and I use nobake lasagna noodles. I also use up all the odds and ends of cheese packages that are open in the fridge instead of just mozzarella. (This helps with throwing out what might not have been used.) Hope this gives everyone more ideas!
I love this idea and can’t wait to try it. I made the Cheesy Ziti recipe last weekend for a friend who had a baby and put it in the freezer so she would have a meal on a very busy day. So, can’t wait to try this one in the crockpot. My husband won’t eat casseroles and does not like pasta dishes (more for me
) but this will be a good evening meal with lots left over for lunches. Jennifer, I really like your idea of mix and match cheese and sauce and the no-cook lasagna noodles. I have been using them for several years and find they are no different than the regular ones and much easier to handle. Thanks all.