Slow Cooker Thursday- Lasagna

Lasagna just got so much easier with this Slow Cooker Lasagna! Layer everything in the crockpot–even UN-COOKED noodles!


This slow cooker lasagna is a WINNER!  All of the time consuming parts of lasagna–the many dishes and all the prep, are taken away.
I love that this recipe doesn’t even require you to cook the lasagna noodles before hand. You can use regular lasagna noodles, and then just layer the sauce, noodles and cheese.   The lasagna takes about about 4-5 hours to cook on low.  If you are really in a rush, you could could put the slow cooker lasagna on high and it would be done in about half the time!
Who knew you could make delicious homemade lasagna in the crock pot.

How to make Slow Cooker Lasagna:

Prepare the red sauce, first. I make my own  homemade spaghetti sauce for the sauce, but you could use any bottled marinara sauce you like.

Add a little sauce to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Top with a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Break them if necessary, to make a single layer.

Spread some of the white cheese sauce mixture over the top.

Repeat for two more layers, ending with red sauce. Sprinkle more cheese all over the top.

Cover and cook on LOW in the slow cooker for 4-5 hours or until the noodles are tender.

Here is the full recipe! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage (I use hot)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large onion , chopped*
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 29 oz. can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 8 oz. pkg regular lasagna noodles , uncooked
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion. 
2. 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!)
3. 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). 
4. Combine the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese; spoon a third of the mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice. 
5. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.
6. Cover and cook on low for about 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.
7. Serve with home breadsticks and a salad.