Name: Crockpot Lasagna
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 24 ounces marinara sauce; 15 ounces ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried); 9-12 lasagna noodles (uncooked, regular or oven-ready); 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)

Why You’ll Love Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

Minimal effort — after assembling, the slow cooker does the work.
You get melty cheese, flavorful meat sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles in one pot.
Great for feeding a crowd, with leftovers that reheat well.
It saves energy (no oven) and keeps your kitchen cooler during warmer months.
Flexible — you can swap meats, go vegetarian, or adjust cheeses to your taste.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

ground beef
ground Italian pork sausage
yellow onion
garlic
Italian seasoning
salt
ground black pepper
tomato sauce
tomato paste
granulated sugar
water
ricotta cheese
grated Parmesan cheese
shredded mozzarella cheese
egg
uncooked oven‑ready (no‑boil) lasagna noodles
fresh basil (for serving)

Directions

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until no longer pink (about 8 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
Add diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent (about 2 minutes).
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and water. Heat for about one minute, then remove from heat.
In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan, 1½ cups of the mozzarella, and beaten egg.
Begin layering in the slow cooker:
- Pour one‑quarter of the meat sauce,
- Add about 4 lasagna noodles (break as needed to fit),
- Layer half the cheese mixture,
- Add another quarter of the sauce,
- Add 4 more noodles,
- Spread the remaining cheese mixture,
- Add the next quarter of sauce,
- Top with the remaining noodles, and finish with the final quarter of sauce.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or until noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
For the last 15 minutes, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, cover, and allow it to melt.
When fully cooked, slice and serve, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Servings and timing

Servings: 8
Prep time: ~20 minutes
Cook time: 4 to 6 hours
Total time: ~4 hours 20 minutes

Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken (or a meatless substitute) instead of beef/pork.
For a lighter version, swap cottage cheese for ricotta.
Add vegetables (spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper) to the sauce for more bulk and nutrition.
Use gluten‑free no‑boil noodles to make it gluten‑free.
Increase or change the cheeses (e.g. mix in provolone, fontina, or smoked mozzarella) for different flavor.
Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or extra herbs for more aroma.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or use freezer‑safe containers; can be kept for up to 3 months.
To reheat:
- For individual portions: microwave in short intervals until heated through.
- For larger portions: reheat in the oven at moderate temperature (e.g. 175–180 °C / 350 °F) until warmed and cheese is bubbling.
- You can also warm in the slow cooker on LOW, covered, stirring gently if needed.

FAQs

What kind of lasagna noodles should I use?

You should use oven-ready, no‑boil lasagna noodles. Because this is cooked in the slow cooker, the liquids in the sauce help cook the noodles during the long, slow process.

Can I use pre‑cooked noodles instead?

Pre‑cooked pastas may become mushy or overly soft. Using no‑boil noodles ensures proper absorption of sauce and prevents the dish from becoming too soggy.

What if I don’t have Italian sausage?

You can omit it or replace it with more ground beef, ground turkey, or a different flavored sausage. Just adjust seasoning accordingly.

How do I prevent the edges from drying out or burning?

Make sure to fully cover exposed noodles with sauce. Insufficient sauce can cause edges to dry or crisp. Also, use the LOW setting and check after 4 hours.

Can I assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate before cooking?

You could, but the noodles may begin to absorb sauce prematurely. It’s best to assemble shortly before cooking for best texture.

Is it okay if there’s still some liquid left when it’s done?

Yes — a little residual moisture is normal, especially near the edges. It should mostly be absorbed, but a small amount won’t hurt.

How can I tell when it’s done?

The noodles should be tender (not crunchy), and most of the liquid should be absorbed. The melted mozzarella on top should be bubbly.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely — skip the meat and add sautéed or roasted vegetables (e.g. mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, spinach). Use your favorite tomato sauce base and proceed with layering.

Will the lasagna firm up more as it cools?

Yes — it may set up more as it cools, making slices easier to serve. If it seems too firm when reheated, you can stir in a splash of milk or sauce to loosen.

Can I cook this on HIGH instead of LOW?

It’s possible, but the noodles may not cook as evenly, and the cheese might not meld as well. The LOW setting gives better, more consistent results over 4 to 6 hours.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Lasagna is a clever, lower‑effort version of a beloved classic. With layers of meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender no‑boil noodles, everything comes together in one pot. It’s ideal for busy days, feeding a crowd, or preparing ahead. The flavors are rich, the texture satisfying, and the cleanup minimal. If you like, I can also help you adapt this to your dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten‑free, etc.). Would you like me to generate a version tuned to your preferences?