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Our Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food! All the rich, cheesy, meaty layers of classic homemade lasagna made effortlessly right in your crockpot.
The Slow Cooker Lasagna That Practically Makes Itself
Using your crockpot/slow cooker is without a doubt the easiest way to make lasagna! You don't even need to pre-cook the noodles! Regular lasagna noodles cook right in the slow cooker as everything simmers together. Just layer them in (break the noodles to fit, as needed) and they turn out perfectly tender every time. I love a good classic homemade lasagna, but when I'm in a time crunch or don't want to turn on the oven, this crockpot lasagna saves me every time!
I whip up a quick homemade pasta sauce using canned tomatoes, since it's way less expensive (and tastes better) than a jar of spaghetti sauce. Cook the ground beef and sausage ahead of time to make this meal even quicker.
Try more of my Italian recipes, like Instant Pot Spaghetti, Pink Sauce Pasta, Meatball Subs, or One Pan Chicken Alfredo!
How to make Slow Cooker Lasagna:
Brown the Meat: Cook ground beef (or Italian sausage) with onion and garlic until browned. Drain, then stir in your favorite marinara sauce and set aside.
Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine mozzarella, cottage cheese, and parmesan cheese.
Assemble: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker, then layer in uncooked lasagna noodles (broken to fit), meat sauce, and ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers.
Cook and Serve: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours until noodles are tender. Add shredded mozzarella in the last 20 minutes, then serve this crockpot lasagna topped with fresh basil and parmesan. Make sure to try my Skillet Lasagna if you need something quicker.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage, or pork sausage
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large onion, , chopped*
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 29 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 8 ounces lasagna noodles, , uncooked
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, (or ricotta)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion.½ pound lean ground beef, ½ pound ground Italian sausage, 1 large onion
- Make Red Sauce: Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and water. Stir and simmer 15-20 minutes. (You could make the sauce in advance!)1 ½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 6 ounce can tomato paste, 29 ounces tomato sauce, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 ¼ cups water
- Assemble: Spread a fourth of the meat sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange a third of the noodles over the sauce (break the noodles to fit, if necessary).8 ounces lasagna noodles
- Add Cheese Mixture: Combine the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese; spoon a third of the mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice.4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 ½ cups cottage cheese, ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Finish Layers: Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I first shared this recipe February 2015. Updated March 2018, September 2023 and August 2026.
I have made this man times. I put it together in the morning and cook it for 4 hours. I use the crockpot liners. Then we pack it up and take it camping with us. I plug it back in on warm once we get to the campgrounds. It is delicious. I add a salad and butter bread.
I make my own sauce and homemade lasagna noodles from scratch. I came across your recipe while looking for a slow cooker lasagna. I was wondering if it would work with homemade pasta, (it has to be blanched in boiling water first,) instead of the dry? If so, would there be any changes, like less water or less time to cook? Thank you for this recipe.
Made this for dinner twice this week it’s so delicious, worked out perfect, the whole family loved it, will definitely be making it again, thanks for the recipe
Was very hopeful about this recipe, but after 4 hours it was burnt on the bottom ( yes I did layer the sauce well) noodles were way overcooked. It did taste pretty good however. I’m glad I didn’t cook it 5 hours..
I have always lined my crockpot with foil and have never had a burning problem. My crockpot is also wwaaayyyy easier to clean after the fact.
Have you ever prepped this all the night before in the slow cooker and had it in the fridge overnight to cook the next day? It sounds amazing and I plan to try it this weekend:)
I haven’t but I think there are commenters here who have done so with great success!
I have used this recipe for years now. I have adapted to my taste but it is the base. I also use the sauce just for a spaghetti meal! Thank you for a staple recipe!
If I use ready baked noodles do I still need to add water ?
Yes, but you’ll cut down on cooking time!
Hello Lauren. Love your recipe. My mixture is simmering atm so I figured out why there is too much liquid. While I was browning the beef I noticed a fair amount of liquid in the bottom of my pan. I know your going to say this is where all the flavor is, anyway I removed at least a cup and replaced it with my already reduce red sauce and prepared to add it back again if it needed it. I added only one cup and found this adequate. Thanks again.
I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now and it’s always a hit. I use half cottage cheese and half ricotta. I use oven ready noodles and cook it 2 hours on low.
I make it once a week my family loves it !! easy delicious