Crockpot lasagna is lasagna without the fuss: no boiling noodles and no hot oven. You brown the beef, stir it into marinara, and layer it in the slow cooker with no-boil noodles, a creamy ricotta filling and plenty of mozzarella.
Four hours on LOW gives you tender noodles and bubbling cheese, ready to slice.
Why You Will Love This Crockpot Lasagna
- No boiling. No-boil noodles cook in the sauce.
- Oven-free. Perfect for busy days and holidays.
- Classic flavor. Meat sauce, ricotta and mozzarella.
- Easy to customize. Swap in turkey, spinach or mushrooms.
Ingredients for Crockpot Lasagna
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g), browned and drained. Ground turkey also works.
- No-boil lasagna noodles: About 9 to 12, broken to fit your crock.
- Ricotta filling: Ricotta, egg, parmesan and Italian seasoning.
How to Make Crockpot Lasagna
Step 1: Make the meat sauce
Brown the beef and onion in a skillet, drain, and stir in the garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt.
Step 2: Mix the ricotta
Stir the ricotta, egg, parmesan and Italian seasoning together.
Step 3: Layer
Grease a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread 1 cup meat sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of noodles (break to fit), one-third of the ricotta, 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Repeat twice, ending with sauce.
Step 4: Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the noodles are tender when pierced with a knife.
Step 5: Top and rest
Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, cover 10 minutes to melt, then turn off and rest 30 minutes before slicing.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Lasagna
- Cover noodles completely. Any exposed noodle stays hard; make sure sauce touches every edge.
- Do not overcook. More than 5 hours on LOW turns noodles mushy.
- Rest before cutting. Resting helps the lasagna set so it slices cleanly.
- Line with parchment. A parchment sling makes lifting slices out easier.
What to Serve with Crockpot Lasagna
Serve with a green salad and garlic bread. Love these flavors? Try our crockpot lasagna soup or crockpot spaghetti.
Easy Variations
- Spinach. Add 10 oz thawed, squeezed spinach to the ricotta.
- Turkey. Use ground turkey.
- Regular noodles. Uncooked regular noodles also work; add 1/2 cup water to the sauce.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze slices up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or at 350°F covered.
Equipment I Used
- 6-quart oval slow cooker: the right size for this recipe. Fill it between half and two-thirds full for even cooking.
- Wooden cutting board with handle: for slicing and serving right at the table.
- 3-piece ceramic serving bowl set: takes food straight from the crock to the table.
- Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons: for sauces and spice blends.
New to slow cooking? The Easy Slow Cooker Recipes guide is a beginner-friendly collection of easy crockpot breakfasts and dinners.
Crockpot Lasagna
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the beef and onion in a skillet, drain, and stir in the garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt.
- Stir the ricotta, egg, parmesan and Italian seasoning together.
- Grease a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread 1 cup meat sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of noodles (break to fit), one-third of the ricotta, 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Repeat twice, ending with sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the noodles are tender when pierced with a knife.
- Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, cover 10 minutes to melt, then turn off and rest 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Crockpot Lasagna FAQ
Can you use regular lasagna noodles in a crockpot?
Yes, uncooked regular noodles work. Add about 1/2 cup water to the sauce and make sure every noodle is covered.
How long does lasagna take in the crockpot?
About 4 to 5 hours on LOW, until the noodles are tender.
Why is my crockpot lasagna watery?
Too much sauce or watery ricotta. Drain the ricotta and rest the lasagna 30 minutes before slicing.
Can I cook crockpot lasagna on HIGH?
It is not recommended; the edges burn before the center cooks.
