Slow Cooker Lasagna
Slow Cooker Lasagna is a super-easy way to get your pasta fix. A meatless lasagna recipe that uses spinach, ricotta cheese, and more to create the cheesiest lasagna recipe.
After a long day, the last thing I feel like doing is slaving in the kitchen for hours on end. I rely on my slow cooker multiple times during the week. My little helper practically does all the work for me!
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Some recipes, it’s a matter of dumping the ingredients and setting it on low. Others are a wee bit more work. This recipe for slow cooker lasagna is one of those easy recipes. The only “real” work is chopping up some veggies and mixing ingredients in a bowl.
Ingredients
- Ricotta cheese – I used partly skim ricotta.
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes – These are optional. Leave out if you don’t like too much spice.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Lasagna noodles – Use regular lasagna noodles and NOT the “no boil noodles”. The noodles should not be cooked ahead.
- Diced tomatoes
- Pasta sauce
- Flat leaf parsley
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Baby spinach
How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Step One: In a medium bowl add ricotta, peppers, red pepper flakes, oregano, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Combine well; set aside.
- Step Two: In another medium bowl, combine diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, and parsley; set aside.
- Step Three: In a 6 quart slow cooker, add about 1 cup of tomato mixture to the bottom (enough to just cover the bottom).
- Step Four: Add a layer of noodles on top, breaking to fit.
- Step Five: Add half the baby spinach.
- Step Six: Add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, loosely spreading it around with spatula.
- Step Seven: Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese then 1/3 of the remaining tomato mixture.
- Step Eight: Add another layer of noodles, then repeat layering with spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato mixture.
- Step Nine: Top with noodle layer, then remaining ricotta, tomatoes, and then mozzarella.
- Step Ten: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or until the noodles are tender.
- Step Eleven: Remove cover and allow to cook for at least 15 minutes. Slice and serve.
Do You Have to Boil Noodles for Slow Cooker Lasagna
No! This is why I love this recipe so much. You don’t even have to boil the noodles! Get the comfort food flavour of lasagna that your family loves without spending hours in the kitchen. You just put the hard noodles in and as it bakes they will tenderize like regular pasta!
Easy Lasagna
John adores lasagna and always asks me to make it. I rarely make it the traditional way anymore. It’s so time-consuming and there are many other ways to get the same lasagna taste without the extra work. This recipe isn’t my first lasagna hack. I’ve shared a Lasagna Tater Tot Casserole, Lasagna Bowl and Lasagna Soup previously.
Meatless Crockpot Lasagna
This is a meatless recipe to save on time. However, you could include some ground beef, chicken or turkey if you like. Just cook it in a skillet first before adding it your sauce.
It’s slow cooker season so why not try a new recipe. If you enjoy comfort food, you’ll most likely love this recipe. And I know you’ll love how easy it is to make.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Lasagna in the Slow Cooker
For my slow cooker lasagna recipe it took around 3 hours and 15 minutes to cook. The key is ensuring your pasta is tender and fully cooked. When your pasta is cooked your lasagna is ready to slice up and serve your family or guests.
What to Serve With Lasagna
- Breadsticks
- Garlic Bread
- Roasted or Steamed Broccoli
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Crisp Green Salad
- Or any other side dish you enjoy!
Can I Add Meat to this Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe
Of course. Cook up and ground your beef, sausage or turkey and mix it into the sauce mixture or create its own layer of just meat as you create your layers.
Now, adding meat will change how much fits into the slow cooker. So if you have extra noodles leftover just save them back for another meal later down the line.
Looking for more pasta inspiration
- 5 Soup Pasta | If you are looking for an easy but tasty pasta dish, this is one you got to try. You might be shocked and have all the ingredients in your pantry already!
- Pasta E Fagioli | I am such a fan of this dish right here. Pasta, beans, tomato-based sauce, cheese and more come together for an easy dish to whip up.
- Spicy Sausage and Pepper One Pot Pasta | Looking for a simple one-pot dish. Minimal cleanup, loads of spice and flavor in every single bite.
How to Store Leftover Lasagna
You will want to store your leftover lasagna in the fridge. This will last 4-5 days since meatless or if you add meat it will store for up to three days. Then when you want just warm up a slice in the microwave or cook some extra in the oven until warmed through.
If you love lasagna but want an easy method you will need to try this. Skip the boiling water, and whip up my slow cooker recipe today!
You’ll also like Classic Meatloaf and Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna.
Have you made lasagna in your slow cooker?
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Ingredients
- 2 cups partly skim ricotta
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 box lasagna noodles DO NOT COOK*
- 1 can diced tomatoes 28oz can, drained
- 3 ½ cups pasta sauce
- 1 handful flat leaf parsley chopped
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add ricotta, peppers, red pepper flakes, oregano, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Combine well; set aside.
- In another medium bowl, combine diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, and parsley; set aside.
- In a 6 quart slow cooker, add about 1 cup of tomato mixture to the bottom (enough to just cover the bottom).
- Add a layer of noodles on top, breaking to fit.
- Add half the baby spinach.
- Add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, loosely spreading it around with spatula.
- Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese then 1/3 of the remaining tomato mixture.
- Add another layer of noodles, then repeat layering with spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato mixture.
- Top with noodle layer, then remaining ricotta, tomatoes, and then mozzarella.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or until the noodles are tender.**
- Remove cover and allow to cook for at least 15 minutes. Slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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I have never made (or even thought about) lasagna in a Slow Cooker. How Brilliant… This was so easy and tasted absolutely incredible!!!
This is making me hungry just when its time for bed. It looks so good. I haven’t had lasagna in a long time so this is going on my to make list.
This recipe looks delicious. I can’t believe how many things you make in your slow cooker because I’ve only done roasts in mine
Had no idea I could make this in the slow cooker!
I would never of thought of slow cooker Lasagna. Will certainly give this a try.
This looks like a must to try!
I would like to try the Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe
I love lasagna but it takes so much time to prepare. Your recipe allows one to go and do other essential tasks while this great recipe cooks itself
This looks really yummy! I will have to try it soon. 🙂
I prefer lasagna with egg as it seems to help everything set. If I added an egg to the ricotta mixture, do you think it would affect cook time in the slow cooker at all?
I would think you should be ok leaving it to cook the same amount of time.
This looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
What a fantastic idea! This will be a must on a busy day!=)
This is a great Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe. Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Love this recipe! We love Lasagna at our house but we don’t make it very often because of how long it takes so this is fantastic! 🙂 Thanks for sharing on the Full Plate Thursday link party!