Slow Cooker Lasagna Italian-American (Printable)

Layered slow-cooked lasagna with meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Hearty comfort for family meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauces & Dairy

04 - 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
05 - 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
06 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 large egg

→ Pasta

09 - 9 to 12 uncooked regular lasagna noodles

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional

15 - Olive oil, for sautéing

# Directions:

01 - Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until meat is browned and onion is softened, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain any excess fat.
02 - Stir marinara sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
04 - Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread approximately 1 cup of meat sauce onto the bottom.
05 - Break lasagna noodles as necessary to fit a single layer over the sauce. Spread one third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by one third of the mozzarella cheese and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat layering twice more, finishing with sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW heat for 4 hours, or until noodles are tender and cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Allow lasagna to rest in the slow cooker, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes to set before slicing and serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Comforting dish that feels fancy but uses everyday ingredients
  • Hands-off cooking means more time for everything else
  • Customizable with veggies or your favorite cheese blends
  • Makes delicious leftovers for busy nights
02 -
  • High protein meal great for families
  • Feeds a crowd or makes meal prep easy
  • Gives full lasagna experience without oven heat
03 -
  • Break noodles unevenly to create a rustic texture and ensure sauce flows between layers
  • Mix a pinch of nutmeg into the ricotta for warmth a secret from Italian grandmothers Always let your lasagna rest before slicing or it might collapse into a cheesy mess
  • I learned the hard way not to skip fresh parsley since it makes the flavors pop and adds a lovely color

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