This crockpot lasagna recipe is the easiest way to make lasagna! Simple to assemble with tender pasta noodles, meat sauce and cheese then it cooks hands off making it perfect for busy days!
Need more crockpot recipes? Try Hawaiian meatballs, slow cooker carnitas or crockpot chili.
![This crockpot lasagna recipe is the easiest way to make lasagna! Simple to assemble with tender pasta noodles, meat sauce and cheese then it cooks hands off making it perfect for busy days! Crockpot lasagna cooking.](https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/crockpot-lasagna-i-heart-naptime-857x1200.jpg)
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Easiest Crockpot Lasagna
This crockpot lasagna is SO easy and is a meal that my whole family loves. It tastes just as good as a classic Italian lasagna, plus it’s perfect for busy nights just like my crockpot lasagna soup!
This easy crockpot lasagna only takes 10 minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest! No need to even boil the noodles first! Sometimes I sneak in some vegetables, like with this chicken Alfredo lasagna recipe or we’ll serve it with a side salad and garlic bread.
Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this crockpot lasagna recipe are much like those of the traditional version.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Meat: I use a mix of ground beef and ground Italian sausage for the best flavor.
- Noodles: Classic uncooked lasagna noodles are perfect for making crockpot lasagna. The noodles will cook through and get tender as they slow cook all day.
- Cheese: Three types of cheese are included in this recipe for crockpot lasagna. You’ll need ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan for the cheese filling.
- Spaghetti sauce: Use a jar of your favorite pasta sauce, tomato sauce or make homemade marinara sauce.
- Egg: Used as a binder in the cheese filling so that it holds it’s shape and stays firm.
- Italian seasoning: An easy way to add more Italian flavor to this dish. Use a store-bought jar or make your own homemade Italian seasoning.
- Onion: Freshly chopped onions cook with the beef and sausage as they brown to add even more flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
This easy crockpot lasagna is pretty customizable, so feel free to make it your own!
- Meat: Use ground turkey in place of beef and pork for a lighter alternative.
- Cheese: Swap ricotta for cottage cheese if preferred.
- Veggies: For some added flavor and nutrition, add spinach or kale or try mushrooms, broccoli cauliflower or zucchini.
- Seasonings: You can also add in extra seasonings like parsley, oregano or red pepper flakes for some heat!
How to Make Crockpot Lasagna
Once you make this recipe for crockpot lasagna, you won’t want to make this easy meal any other way!
- Brown meat. Cook the hamburger and sausage in pan on the stove until the meat browns then drain grease. Add in Italian seasoning and onions and cook until translucent. Stir in the spaghetti sauce with 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix ricotta. While the meat sauce simmers, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan and egg.
- Add sauce and noodles. In the bottom of the crockpot, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce. Then top with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles.
- Add ricotta. Spread about 1/3 of the creamy ricotta mixture evenly over top of the noodles. Repeat with 2 more layers of sauce, noodles and ricotta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella. Once you’re done layering, pour 1/2 cup water around the edges in the crockpot. Then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cook. Cover with the lid and cook on the low setting for about 4 to 5 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the noodles are tender.
5 star review
“Just made this today for tonight’s supper. It was delicious! My husband went back for thirds. I will definitely make this again.”
-Theresa
Expert Tips
- Half beef and half sausage. Use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for best flavor. Cook 2 pounds of meat and then freeze half of it for later. The next time you make crock pot lasagna (or a baked ziti), the meat is ready to go!
- Fitting noodles in crockpot. Gently break off the corners of the lasagna noodles so that they’ll fit nicely in the slow cooker. No one will ever notice once the cheese is on top!
- For a softer noodle. Soak your noodles in water for a few minutes if you prefer a softer noodle. If you prefer al dente, follow instructions below.
- Let it rest. To let it set, after it is done let the crockpot sit with the lid ajar for about 30 minutes. This gives it time to cool down a bit as well.
- Add toppings. Top with fresh basil or parsley for an extra punch in flavor.
Recipe FAQs
No! That’s one of the main things that makes this crockpot lasagna recipe so easy. You use uncooked lasagna noodles and layer them into the crockpot. The noodles will soften up perfectly as the crockpot lasagna cooks. You can use no-boil lasagna noodles but they may cook faster and get really soft.
With this recipe you should have around 3 layers but this may depend on the size of your slow cooker! Aim for each layer to be around 1 inch thick and don’t overfill the crockpot so it cooks evenly.
This easy lasagna recipe takes about 4 to 5 hours to cook in the crockpot (on the low setting). You want the cheese on top to be nice and bubbly, and the noodles to be fork tender. I would keep an eye on it at about the 4 hour mark, so that it doesn’t overcook and dry out.
I used an 8 quart crockpot. You want it to be big enough to hold multiple layers of sauce, cheese and noodles, much like a traditional lasagna. The 8 quart size was perfect, leaving a few inches of room at the top.
Yes! Assemble the slow cooker lasagna as directed, cover and store crockpot in the fridge up to a day in advance. The next day proceed with cooking instructions.
This lasagna tastes amazing with a warm piece of French bread and a vegetable side such as green beans, corn on the cob or roasted broccoli.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 5 days. The flavors are even better the next day!
Crock pot lasagna leftovers can also be frozen. Cool completely then store in a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Storing it in portion sized containers works great to just pull it out as needed!
Reheat individual slices of lasagna in the microwave covered with a damp towel to prevent splatter and add moistures back to the lasagna. To reheat a larger portion of the lasagna, sprinkle some water on top and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Love Italian recipes? Try this white lasagna soup recipe, baked eggplant Parmesan or white chicken lasagna with pesto next!
More Easy Italian Recipes
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Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground Italian sausage , could also use ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce , or marinara sauce
- 1 cup water , divided
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese , divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 9-12 lasagna noodles , uncooked
Optional for serving: Fresh basil
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the hamburger and Italian sausage. Drain fat and stir in Italian seasoning and onions. Cook until onions are soft and stir in the sauce with 1/2 cup water. Simmer 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, in a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and egg until combined.
- Spread about 1 cup sauce onto the bottom of the crock pot. Top with 3 noodles (you may need to break some noodles to fit). Spread about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Repeat with 2 more layers, or until all of the remaining ingredients are used.
- Pour the remaining 1/2 cup water around the sides of the layers. If your noodles are thick, add an extra 2 Tablespoons water. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Cook on low 4 to 5 hours, or until the noodles are tender. Turn off crockpot and let sit 15 minutes before slicing into 8 portions to serve. Top with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- Vegetarian: Just omit the meat and use some veggies like sliced eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, etc.
- Veggies: Amp up the veggies by adding spinach to the ricotta mixture or mushrooms to the sauce.
- Ground turkey: Swap the beef for turkey if you’d prefer a leaner meat.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
I have cooked it about four time now! I use a large round crockpot! Break the noodles to fit just like you said! Throw in the extra pieces ! Added a little extra cheese all the way around! Sprayed the crockpot with non-stick spray! I love it! Perfect for a Sunday of football watching.I am a guy that loves to cook! I added green bell peppers to the mix!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for leaving a comment! :)
This recipe deserves 5 stars! Amazing. We don’t even use Italian sausage. Just ground beef. I sautéed onions and then added fresh garlic and then put ground beef in and cooked. Used dried parsley and the rest per recipe. Just amazing. We have made it for large church get together and everyone asked for the recipe. So fast and easy. Can prep in am before church and cook after church for dinner. Can make the night before and cook early am. Cooks on low about 3-4 hours. Raw noodles were perfect. I added double the amount of lasagna noodles.
Your comment made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that it has been such a hit! :)
Planning to make when daughter & granddaughter visit from out of state. If I left cooking on low while I drove to airport (maybe 7 hours) would that be too long?
7 hours might be a little too long unfortunately! I would be afraid the noodles would get too soggy!
If I do not have ricotta or cottage cheese, what else could I use?
You could use extra mozzarella cheese.
Could I double this recipe in the crockpot?
Hi Nicole! I haven’t tried doubling it before so I’m not positive that the noodles would cook the same…but I think it should work. You may just need to adjust the timing!
It was very good
Wished could give this 20 stars! Fantastic is the only way to describe this recipe. Followed the recipe as it is stated with one change, used slow cooker liner sprayed with non stick spray, as too lazy to clean the pot! This will be in rotation in our household.
i only have oven ready noodles will this be ok in the crock pot or will it decrease cook time?
Hi Brooke! That should work but you will definitely need to decrease the cooking time.
can you use the oven ready lasagna noodles or do you need the regular boil noodles?
Hi Karlie! You should be able to, but it will cook faster!
Loved it! Sooo easy to make and days worth of me and the bf. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it! :)
Awesome and Delicious recipe and easy to make
Easy and delish!
So easy and yummy. Only negative was the sides burned but it could have been my fault for cooking it too long.
So easy and so yum!
This is making me hungry! Looks SO good!
Lasagna is a favorite around here. Making it in the crockpot is such a great idea!
This looks incredibly delicious! I love everything about this recipe, adding to my list of must makes!
I love how this is made in the crockpot! Definitely saving!
Hope you enjoy! :)
What a great dinner to come home to! So easy using the slow cooker.
I’ve never made lasagna in the crockpot but it sounds like a weeknight win to me. Looking forward to trying it. My kids love anything Italian.