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This easy Crockpot Lasagna recipe has all the flavor of a traditional homemade lasagna but without the mess and prep! It's perfect for a busy weeknight and a meal everyone enjoys!
Want more slow cooker recipes? Try Hawaiian Meatballs, Pork Carnitas, Beef Gyros, or Chicken Tortilla Soup!
Why I love this meal:
- Quick – This recipe skips all the time consuming parts of homemade lasagna and is practically mess-free, especially with these slow cooker liners.
- Uncooked Noodles – No need to boil the noodles beforehand, making this recipe even faster.
- Crowd Pleaser – I have never heard a complaint on lasagna night! Serve with easy homemade breadsticks or garlic knots and a wedge salad.
How to make Slow Cooker Lasagna:
Make Red Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion. Remove some of the grease. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and water. Stir and simmer 15-20 minutes.
Combine Cheese: Mix the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese together.
Layer Lasagna: 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). Spoon a third of the cheese mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.
Serve: Cover and cook on low for about 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender. Serve the best crockpot lasagna with easy homemade breadsticks or garlic knots and a wedge salad.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The meat sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge up to a few days ahead, until ready to assemble the easy slow cooker lasagna recipe.
To Freeze: The meat sauce can be frozen in advance in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 4 months. Let thaw then assemble the lasagna.
Serve With:
- Homemade Breadsticks
- Best Homemade Rolls
- Classic Wedge Salad
- Garlic Knots
- Beet Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Brussels Sprout Salad
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Recipe
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
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion.
- 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!)
- 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).
- Combine the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese; spoon a third of the mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice.
- 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
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I first shared this recipe February 2015. Updated March 2018 and September 2023.
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I totally omitted 3/4 of the noodles by accident (sleep deprived mom here)! I thought I was going to end up with a soup like lasagna. I’ve never made lasagna before before and didn’t realize that I’m supposed to make layers of the noodles! Despite that mistake, I cooked it longer and used cottage cheese and it turned out AMAZING! My husband and best friend loved it!! It made plenty of left overs too. I highly recommend this recipe! I’m giving it a four only because it was time consuming prepping it.
I already have my homemade sauce. I don’t use water in my sauce. Will this recipe cook the same way? Want to make this for a work luncheon tomorrow. I could plug it in when I get to work and it will be done by noon. And make the office smell good at the same time!
Okay, I always have hated making lasagne because it just takes too darn long to boil the pasta, layer the sauce, etc. etc. Making it in the crockpot without cooking the noodles first is life changing! I personally love that this lasagne is thick and hearty — not lots of runny sauce like the traditional recipes I’ve tried.
Can chorizo sausage be used instead of Italian sausage?
I’ve never tried it with chorizo, but I imagine it should work great. The flavor will just be different
I made this for dinner tonight. I didn’t add any water. I did add chopped fresh mushrooms to it though. It was perfect!!!
I am not really a big fan of chopped onions so it’s awesome that you suggested a substitute for those.
Hi , I was looking for this recipe all the day , actually this weekend was a pretty much free for me so I wanted to spend my time on cooking , yeah I tryed it and it worked great , By the way thanks gor this recipe
Hello! I am excited to make this recipe… I’m wondering if I used a slow cooker liner if the lasagna would cook the same….
Hi Hillary, I haven’t trie it but I’m pretty confidant it should work just as great!
lauren my slow cooker has high 4-6 hours and low 8-10 hours, if i do high for 4 hours (dont have time for the slow 8-10) will that be too long..or will it turn out ok
YUM!! Lauren, we loved this!!! The sauce is just fantastic and you can’t beat the ease of using the slow-cooker!! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Your Dad and oldest brother are to be commended; they are smart people.
Cheese clogs up your arteries – I know; I am a physician.
Check your cholesterol