Crockpot Lasagna
Crockpot Lasagna is the perfect way to enjoy a hearty, comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
This easy recipe combines flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella, all layered between tender lasagna noodles.
Your Crock-Pot does all the work, so you can relax and look forward to a delicious dinner.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe Highlights
- Simple ingredients and easy steps
- Ready in just a few hours
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals
- Great for feeding a crowd
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
GROUND BEEF – Ground beef adds a rich and savory umami flavor to lasagna. When browned, it undergoes the Maillard reaction, which creates complex flavor compounds and adds depth to the overall dish.
SEASONING – Dried basil has a concentrated, slightly sweet yet peppery flavor, which is found in many lasagna and traditional Italian recipes. The sweetness helps balance the acidity of tomato sauces in lasagna dishes.
SAUCE – Use your favorite jarred spaghetti/marinara sauce to ensure consistency in flavor for this recipe while saving time and effort.
RICOTTA CHEESE: Whole milk Ricotta has a rich and creamy texture that enhances the overall texture of the las Using a higher-fat/whole milk-style ricotta cheese provides additional moi, store which will help keep the lasagna layers soft and prevents the pasta from drying out during baking.
HARD CHEESES – Mozzarella has a mild and creamy flavor that compliments a wide range of meals and enhances the overall result instead of overpowering the entire dish. As for Parmesan, I strongly recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Grating your own parmesan cheese allows you to guarantee its quality and authenticity, which is especially important if you decide to use a higher-quality parmesan like Parmigiano-Reggiano.
LASAGNA NOODLES: Using uncooked lasagna noodles in this recipe provides several benefits, making the process more convenient and yielding amazing results. Uncooked noodles eliminate the need to boil and cook them in advance, thus saving time and reducing the number of dishes to be cleaned.
How To Make Crock Pot Lasagna
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook ground beef until no longer pink, add garlic, then drain. Stir in seasoning and marinara sauce.
- Mix ricotta cheese and dried basil.
- Layer meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and cheeses in Crock-Pot. Repeat three times.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – To keep your lasagna fresh, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 3 days.
FREEZE – For extended storage, you can freeze the lasagna in individual portions. Place the portions in airtight containers or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. These can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the lasagna in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
REHEAT – To reheat your lasagna, you have a couple of options. You can use the microwave, which is quick and easy. Simply place the lasagna on a microwave-safe plate and heat until warmed through. Alternatively, you can use the oven. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit, cover the lasagna with foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake until it is heated all the way through, usually about 20-30 minutes.
More Crockpot Beef Recipes
Serving Suggestions
BREAD – Perfect for soaking up the extra sauce. You can make our Air Fryer Garlic Bread quickly and easily in the air fryer for a crispy, delicious side. If you prefer, try 3-Ingredient Homemade Bread, Sourdough Sandwich Bread, or even Air Fryer Homemade Biscuits for a tasty alternative.
SALAD – A fresh, crisp salad balances the richness of the lasagna. Consider making Oma’s German Cucumber Salad or Creamy German Cucumber Salad for a refreshing, tangy side. A Chopped Tomato Salad with fresh tomatoes, onions, and herbs can also add a vibrant touch to your meal.
ROASTED VEGETABLES – Add some color and nutrition to your meal with roasted vegetables. Roasted Broccoli brings out a deliciously nutty flavor, while Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower offers a combination of textures and tastes.
Recipe Success Tips
USE QUALITY MARINARA – Choose a high-quality marinara sauce to enhance the overall flavor of the lasagna. The sauce forms the base of the dish, so a good one will make a noticeable difference.
DRAIN THE BEEF WELL – After cooking the ground beef, make sure to drain any excess grease thoroughly. This step ensures that the sauce remains rich and flavorful without becoming too oily, which can affect the texture of the lasagna.
EVENLY SPREAD LAYERS – When layering the lasagna, take your time to spread each layer evenly. This helps the noodles cook uniformly and ensures every bite is well-balanced with meat sauce, cheese, and noodles.
MONITOR COOKING TIME – Keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid overcooking the noodles. Slow cookers can vary, so check the lasagna around the 4-hour mark to see if it’s done. Overcooked noodles can become too soft and mushy.
LET IT REST – After the lasagna has finished cooking, let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and serve, and helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use turkey meat instead of ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a substitute; you might need to adjust the cooking time adjust the cooking time when you brown the beef. If you are using very lean meat, it might also be a good idea to add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil while browning the meat.
Can I use jarred minced garlic?
Yes, you can use minced garlic from a jar as a substitute for the fresh garlic. Use about 1 teaspoon of minced jarred garlic for each for each garlic clove.
Crockpot Lasagna
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef I used 80/20 but lower fat contents 90/10,93/7 are acceptable substitutes
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or 1 teaspoon of each dried basil and dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 24-ounce jars marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce
Ricotta Cheese mixture
- 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese whole milk
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
Cheese and Noodles
- 12 ounces Mozzarella cheese shredded, divided between the layers
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided between the layers
- 12 whole lasagna noodles uncooked
- basil optional, fresh, sliced and used for garnish
Instructions
Meat Sauce
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, while breaking up the meat with a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic about 2 minutes before the meat has fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
- Then add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and Marinara sauce, combine, and set aside.
Ricotta Cheese Mixture
- Combine Ricotta cheese and basil in a separate small bowl and set aside.
Crock-Pot
- Spray the inside of a Crock Pot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add about 1 cup of the meat sauce and spread it evenly across the bottom. Place 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.*
- Spread a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top the noodles, add another layer of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with about a third of the Mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers three more times: noodles, meat sauce, ricotta cheese mixture, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Close the Slow Cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.*
- If desired serve with extra Parmesan cheese garnish with basil.
Equipment
Notes
Slow Cooker Times
ON LOW: 4-5 hoursON HIGH: 2-3 hours All nutritional calculations are approximations.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.