This crockpot lasagna recipe is the easiest way to make lasagna! Simple to assemble with tender pasta noodles, meat sauce and cheese then it cooks hands off making it perfect for busy days!
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Easiest Crockpot Lasagna
This crockpot lasagna is SO easy and is a meal that my whole family loves. It tastes just as good as a classic Italian lasagna, plus it’s perfect for busy nights just like my crockpot lasagna soup!
This easy crockpot lasagna only takes 10 minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest! No need to even boil the noodles first! Sometimes I sneak in some vegetables, like with this chicken Alfredo lasagna recipe or we’ll serve it with a side salad and garlic bread.
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this crockpot lasagna recipe are much like those of the traditional version.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Meat: I use a mix of ground beef and ground Italian sausage for the best flavor.
- Noodles: Classic uncooked lasagna noodles are perfect for making crockpot lasagna. The noodles will cook through and get tender as they slow cook all day.
- Cheese: Three types of cheese are included in this recipe for crockpot lasagna. You’ll need ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan for the cheese filling.
- Spaghetti sauce: Use a jar of your favorite pasta sauce, tomato sauce or make homemade marinara sauce.
- Egg: Used as a binder in the cheese filling so that it holds it’s shape and stays firm.
- Italian seasoning: An easy way to add more Italian flavor to this dish. Use a store-bought jar or make your own homemade Italian seasoning.
- Onion: Freshly chopped onions cook with the beef and sausage as they brown to add even more flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
This easy crockpot lasagna is pretty customizable, so feel free to make it your own!
- Meat: Use ground turkey in place of beef and pork for a lighter alternative.
- Cheese: Swap ricotta for cottage cheese if preferred.
- Veggies: For some added flavor and nutrition, add spinach or kale or try mushrooms, broccoli cauliflower or zucchini.
- Seasonings: You can also add in extra seasonings like parsley, oregano or red pepper flakes for some heat!
How to Make Crockpot Lasagna
Once you make this recipe for crockpot lasagna, you won’t want to make this easy meal any other way!
- Brown meat. Cook the hamburger and sausage in pan on the stove until the meat browns then drain grease. Add in Italian seasoning and onions and cook until translucent. Stir in the spaghetti sauce with 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix ricotta. While the meat sauce simmers, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan and egg.
- Add sauce and noodles. In the bottom of the crockpot, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce. Then top with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles.
- Add ricotta. Spread about 1/3 of the creamy ricotta mixture evenly over top of the noodles. Repeat with 2 more layers of sauce, noodles and ricotta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella. Once you’re done layering, pour 1/2 cup water around the edges in the crockpot. Then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cook. Cover with the lid and cook on the low setting for about 4 to 5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the noodles are tender.
“Just made this today for tonight’s supper. It was delicious! My husband went back for thirds. I will definitely make this again.”
Expert Tips
- Half beef and half sausage. Use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for best flavor. Cook 2 pounds of meat and then freeze half of it for later. The next time you make crock pot lasagna (or a baked ziti), the meat is ready to go!
- Fitting noodles in crockpot. Gently break off the corners of the lasagna noodles so that they’ll fit nicely in the slow cooker. No one will ever notice once the cheese is on top!
- For a softer noodle. Soak your noodles in water for a few minutes if you prefer a softer noodle. If you prefer al dente, follow instructions below.
- Let it rest. To let it set, after it is done let the crockpot sit with the lid ajar for about 30 minutes. This gives it time to cool down a bit as well.
- Add toppings. Top with fresh basil or parsley for an extra punch in flavor.
Recipe FAQs
No! That’s one of the main things that makes this crockpot lasagna recipe so easy. You use uncooked lasagna noodles and layer them into the crockpot. The noodles will soften up perfectly as the crockpot lasagna cooks. You can use no-boil lasagna noodles but they may cook faster and get really soft.
With this recipe you should have around 3 layers but this may depend on the size of your slow cooker! Aim for each layer to be around 1 inch thick and don’t overfill the crockpot so it cooks evenly.
This easy lasagna recipe takes about 4 to 5 hours to cook in the crockpot (on the low setting). You want the cheese on top to be nice and bubbly, and the noodles to be fork tender. I would keep an eye on it at about the 4 hour mark, so that it doesn’t overcook and dry out.
I used an 8 quart crockpot. You want it to be big enough to hold multiple layers of sauce, cheese and noodles, much like a traditional lasagna. The 8 quart size was perfect, leaving a few inches of room at the top.
Yes! Assemble the slow cooker lasagna as directed, cover and store crockpot in the fridge up to a day in advance. The next day proceed with cooking instructions.
This lasagna tastes amazing with a warm piece of French bread and a vegetable side such as green beans, corn on the cob or roasted broccoli.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 5 days. The flavors are even better the next day!
Crock pot lasagna leftovers can also be frozen. Cool completely then store in a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Storing it in portion sized containers works great to just pull it out as needed!
Reheat individual slices of lasagna in the microwave covered with a damp towel to prevent splatter and add moistures back to the lasagna. To reheat a larger portion of the lasagna, sprinkle some water on top and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Love Italian recipes? Try this white lasagna soup recipe, baked eggplant Parmesan or white chicken lasagna with pesto next!
More Easy Italian Recipes
Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground Italian sausage , could also use ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce , or marinara sauce
- 1 cup water , divided
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese , divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 9-12 lasagna noodles , uncooked
Optional for serving: Fresh basil
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the hamburger and Italian sausage. Drain fat and stir in Italian seasoning and onions. Cook until onions are soft and stir in the sauce with 1/2 cup water. Simmer 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, in a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and egg until combined.
- Spread about 1 cup sauce onto the bottom of the crock pot. Top with 3 noodles (you may need to break some noodles to fit). Spread about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Repeat with 2 more layers, or until all of the remaining ingredients are used.
- Pour the remaining 1/2 cup water around the sides of the layers. If your noodles are thick, add an extra 2 Tablespoons water. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Cook on low 4 to 5 hours, or until the noodles are tender. Turn off crockpot and let sit 15 minutes before slicing into 8 portions to serve. Top with fresh basil, if desired.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
- Vegetarian: Just omit the meat and use some veggies like sliced eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, etc.
- Veggies: Amp up the veggies by adding spinach to the ricotta mixture or mushrooms to the sauce.
- Ground turkey: Swap the beef for turkey if you’d prefer a leaner meat.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Michelle
I was skeptical, but this turned out amazing!! I used 12oz of italian chicken sausage and 1lb of ground turkey. I used the crockpot setting on my Instant Pot, but forgot to switch it to vent before I left the house. I switched it an hour later and checked it 3 hours in, and it was ready! I got a late start making dinner so I was super happy it was finished early. Could that be b/c I kept it sealed for that first hour? (Like could this be a hack?!)
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you loved the crockpot lasagna! We haven’t tested it on the crockpot Instant Pot setting but sounds like if it worked for you maybe it is! Enjoy!