Slow Cooker Lasagna (Printable)
Comforting slow-cooked lasagna: tender no-boil noodles, hearty tomato-meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces & Canned Goods
04 - 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
05 - 6 ounces tomato paste
06 - 1 and 2/3 cups tomato sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
→ Cheese & Dairy
13 - 16 ounces ricotta cheese
14 - 1 large egg
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
16 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pasta
18 - 9 to 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef or Italian sausage until cooked through. Drain off excess fat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes if desired, and sugar into the skillet. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to blend flavors.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and parsley until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker. Spread a thin layer of prepared meat sauce on the bottom.
05 - Arrange 3 to 4 no-boil lasagna noodles in the slow cooker, breaking as needed to fit. Top with half the ricotta mixture, one-third of the mozzarella, and one-third of the meat sauce. Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta filling, another third mozzarella, and another third sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours until noodles are tender and cheese is melted.
07 - Turn off heat and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing and serving for clean portions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You skip all the fussy assembly and baking time, yet still end up with satisfyingly melty layers and flavor.
- This quickly became my go-to for potlucks because hardly anyone guesses it came together with minimal hands-on effort.
02 -
- If you skip the resting time, your lasagna will tumble apart in a delicious but very messy way.
- The first time I added red pepper flakes, it brought unexpected warmth that everyone commented on—even skeptics loved it.
03 -
- Generously grease the slow cooker—cheese wants to stick, and this fixes it.
- Letting it rest uncovered before slicing transforms your presentation from slipshod scoop to neat layered squares.