Slow Cooker Lasagna
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
7
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Calories
634 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Description
The recipe starts by browning ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onions. Spices like salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley flakes, and garlic powder are added along with Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and water. This meat sauce simmers to develop depth. In the slow cooker, a quarter of the sauce is spread first, then a third of the dry noodles are layered on top, followed by a third of the mixed mozzarella, cottage, and Parmesan cheeses. These layers are repeated twice, with the final topping of meat sauce and optional extra mozzarella cheese.
Cooking on low for 4-5 hours allows the noodles to soften thoroughly, absorb sauce flavors, and the cheeses to become creamy and meld into the lasagna. This hands-off method produces a comforting dish without the need for oven baking. The lasagna can be served directly from the slow cooker, perfect for casual meals.
Preparing the meat sauce ahead and refrigerating or freezing it adds convenience. The sauce freezes well up to 4 months and thaws for easy assembly. The recipe accommodates substitutions like dried minced onion if fresh is unavailable. This approach suits cooks wanting lasagna without the oven or with extended cooking time.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef lean
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage or pork sausage, ground
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 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 mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
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
- Chopped onion can be substituted with 1-2 tablespoons dried minced onion if fresh is unavailable.
- The meat sauce can be made a few days ahead and refrigerated for convenient assembly later.
- Meat sauce freezes well for up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container, allowing for future use.
- Allow frozen sauce to thaw completely before assembling lasagna for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 7Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 634 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 634kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 110mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 2214mg | 92% |
| Potassium | 1053mg | 22% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 1482IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 488mg | 49% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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