Grandma’s Crockpot Lasagna
How to make Slow Cooker Lasagna
Being part of an Italian family is a wonderful thing. Every family gathering is a big event, with lots of kids playing in the yard, lots of grownups chatting in the house, lots of talk, lots of hugs – and of course, lots of FOOD. Platters of antipasto, bowls of salad, garlic bread – and in the middle of the table, the show-stopper centerpiece of the whole evening, Grandma’s lasagna.
This is always a masterpiece, with layers and layers of noodles, perfectly browned ground beef, tangy marinara sauce, and gooey cheese. Of course, it’s a lot of work to make (as Grandma will not hesitate to tell you), but it’s worth it if it makes her family happy.
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Well, guess what? Now you can have that same show-stopping dish any night of the week, without all the work. Your Crockpot makes it easy!
There is a little bit of prep work with this, but nowhere near as much as Grandma has to go through. First you brown the beef and onion together, then stir in the sauce and spices. Then you load this beef mixture into the crock, top it with noodles and cheese, and keep repeating until it’s all loaded up. Then all you have to do is let it cook for four to six hours on low and melt a little extra mozzarella on top about ten minutes before you serve.
And there it is – the taste of Grandma’s house, right in your very own kitchen.
How To Make Grandma’s Crockpot Lasagna
Ingredients you will need for Lasagna
- lean ground beef
- onion, chopped
- tomato sauce
- diced tomatoes, undrained
- dried basil leaves
- dried parsley
- garlic
- salt
- mozzarella cheese
- cottage cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- lasagna noodles
- fresh mozzarella
- Cook beef and onion in skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil parsley, garlic and salt.
- Mix 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheeses. (Refrigerate remaining mozzarella cheese while lasagna cooks.)
- Prepare crockpot with cooking spray. Spoon one-fourth of the beef mixture into 6-quart slow cooker; top with 5 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Spread with half of the cheese mixture and 4-5 slices of fresh mozzarella Then top with another one-fourth of the beef mixture. Top with 5 noodles, remaining cheese mixture, 4-5 slices of fresh mozzarella and one-fourth of the beef mixture. Top with remaining 5 noodles and remaining beef mixture.
- Cover and cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
- Sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Turn off crockpot. Cover and let stand about 15-20 minutes to help it set. Cut into pieces.
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XO
Corey, Darryl, Big D & Little D
TOOLS USED TO MAKE GRANDMAS CROCKPOT LASAGNA
Slow Cooker – This is one of my favorite crockpots!
Grandma's Crockpot Lasagna
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cans 15 ounces each tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 container 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 15 uncooked lasagna noodles
- 8 oz ball of fresh mozzarella cut into 8-10 thin slices
Instructions
- Cook beef and onion in skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil parsley, garlic and salt.
- Mix 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheeses. (Refrigerate remaining mozzarella cheese while lasagna cooks.)
- Prepare crockpot with cooking spray. Spoon one-fourth of the beef mixture into 6-quart slow cooker; top with 5 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Spread with half of the cheese mixture and 4-5 slices of fresh mozzarella Then top with another one-fourth of the beef mixture. Top with 5 noodles, remaining cheese mixture, 4-5 slices of fresh mozzarella and one-fourth of the beef mixture. Top with remaining 5 noodles and remaining beef mixture.
- Cover and cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
- Sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Turn off crockpot. Cover and let stand about 15-20 minutes to help it set. Cut into pieces.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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Ready for some more easy crockpot recipes?
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy – a classic
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole – wake up to a warm breakfast
- The Best Crockpot Beef Stew – check out the review – it really is the best!
- Crockpot Minestrone Soup – full of yummy veggies
- Crockpot Beef Tips – family favorite
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken – fan favorite!
- Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing – a whole meal in one!
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs – a great appetizer or meal
- Crockpot Detox Soup – a super healthy meal
3 cups of mozzarella cheese in list of ingredients, but I only see 2 being used. Where is the other cup?
In step 5… You use the last cup to top the lasagna with.
Do you use regular lasagna noodles (not the no-boil ones)?
Regular noodles 🙂
Can I use the ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese? I hate cottage cheese. Thanks, Liz
I think ricotta would work well as a replacement.
Thank you. I love your recipes. I have tried a lot. Keep up the good work.
This is by far the best lasagna recipe I’ve ever made. I was really hesitant to make pasta in a slow cooker, but it turned out absolutely amazing!!
The flavor was outstanding. The top layer of noodles were less well cooked, though. Did anyone else experience that? I’m already sharing this recipe with friends and family!