Crock Pot Lasagna means no need for an oven! Lasagna noodles, meat sauce and cheese made all in one pot. Easy and delicious!
THE BEST CROCK POT LASAGNA
I'm always looking for new ways to use my Crock Pot (a.k.a. slow cooker.) It really is one of the most used items in my kitchen. Even with the invention of electric pressure cookers and air fryers. I use those too but slow cookers are so inexpensive and most people own one. I find myself going back to my slow cooker time and time again.
CAN I SUBSTITUTE COTTAGE CHEESE FOR RICOTTA?
Yes, of course. However, there is a reason I use cottage cheese in this recipe. It's to keep it all from drying out. Ricotta is a drier, crumbly cheese. It can dry out pretty quickly in this recipe if it's cooked too long. So, I use cottage cheese to keep it all nice and luscious! Or if you want something a bit more traditional, try my HOMEMADE BAKED LASAGNA RECIPE. Also for a chicken this, my CROCK POT CHICKEN ALFREDO LASAGNA is definitely worth making!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- spaghetti sauce
- water
- small curd cottage cheese
- mozzarella cheese, divided use
- parmesan cheese
- egg
- lasagna noodles
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT LASAGNA:
Brown and crumble ground beef in a large skillet. You need a larger skillet for this because you'll be adding the spaghetti sauce and water to it later. Then add in onion and garlic and cook for additional 1-2 minutes. I like to season my beef mixture with a little salt & pepper at this point too.
Drain excess grease from beef. And put back into skillet.
Pour in spaghetti sauce and water.
Give it all a good stir (you can turn the heat off at this point.) Give it a taste test, add additional salt if necessary. In a separate bowl, mix together cottage cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese, egg, pepper and chopped parsley. Put your remaining cheeses back in the fridge, you'll be using those as a topping later.
Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop approximately 1 cup of meat sauce into bottom of slow cooker.
Top with one layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Just do your best to break them up to fit into your crock pot.
Next top with a layer of cheese mixture.
Keep adding layers, ending with meat sauce. I was able to get 3 layers in my 5-quart slow cooker.
Put the lid on and cook on low for 4-6 hours. You want most of the liquid to be absorbed and noodles should be soft.
When it is finished cooking, add remaining cheeses and sprinkle with a bit of parsley.
Put the lid back on for about 10-15 more minutes until cheese is melted.
Slice and serve it up with a salad and some garlic bread.
WANT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!
THE BEST CROCK POT LASAGNA
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 26 ounce jar spaghetti sauce a 32 ounce jar can be used if necessary
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounce container small curd cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided use
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 4-6 uncooked lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Brown and crumble ground beef in a large skillet (or if your crock pot has a saute setting, use that.)
- Then add in onion and garlic and cook for additional 1-2 minutes.
- Drain excess grease from beef and put back into skillet. Pour in spaghetti sauce and water. Give it all a good stir.
- In a separate bowl, mix together cottage cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese, egg, pepper and chopped parsley. (Put your remaining cheeses back in the fridge, you'll be using those as a topping later)
- Spray crock pot with no-stick cooking spray. Scoop approximately 1 cup of meat sauce into bottom of slow cooker.
- Top with one layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Just do your best to break them up to fit into your crock pot.
- Next top with a layer of cheese mixture.
- Keep adding layers, ending with meat sauce. I was able to get 3 layers in my 5-quart slow cooker.
- Put the lid on and cook on low for 4-6 hours. You want most of the liquid to be absorbed and noodles should be soft.
- When it is finished cooking, add remaining cheeses and sprinkle with parsley.
- Put the lid back on for about 10-15 more minutes until cheese is melted.
Video
Notes
- Slice and serve it up with a salad and some garlic bread.
- Ricotta can be substituted for the small curd cottage cheese.
- Only a 5-6 quart oval slow cooker will work properly with this recipe. A round slow cooker will not create the desired result.
Nutrition
Originally published: February 2012
Updated & republished: August 2020
Edited to add: The original post had a giveaway. That giveaway has ended.
Debra Clements
Very good recipe. I skipped the water and used the rest of the jar of spaghetti sauce. Why toss it out? It was perfect.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
So you must’ve had a jar larger than 26 ounces since this recipe does use the whole jar. Glad you enjoyed this one!!
Butterflybon
This is the only way I make lasagna, in the crockpot! I like to prepare it by Noon and turn it on for several hours. This recipe is so good! You can use Italian sausage/ ground beef combo for a change, but the recipe as it is, delicious!
Making it this weekend! ❤
Lori
I have never made lasagna in the crockpot so my expectations weren't high,BUT this recipe was sooo great! Everyone in the house loved it and it is perfect on a hot summer day when you cant use the oven. So definitely will be using it often!!
Linda P
Our oven is not working and won't be fixed for another three days. Stumbled on this while looking for non-oven meals. Awesome is the only way to describe how delicious this is. It gave me and hubby the lasagna fix we were craving without having to do take out. I did substitute low sodium beef broth for the water and layered shorter sized noodles vertically in the crockpot, as the size was almost a perfect match. Mine only had to cook for four hours, not including the 15 minutes after adding some grated pecorino romano and shredded mozzarella on top. Hubby is a huge fan of my oven version of lasagna, so the kudos from him should tell you this recipe is a keeper. Thank you so much for sharing!
Chaylin
Can you make it with cooked noodles and just cut cooking time in half ?
Charith Varga
I made this just the other night. I was intrigued by another comment from someone saying they added alfredo sauce. I followed the recipe but added maybe half jar of alfredo sauce to the meat/tomato sauce mixture. It was very good and creamy. I absolutely loved this recipe. Mine was done cooking in about 4 hours. I will definitely make this again. It easily fed a group of 6 with leftovers. Thank you for a great recipe!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I'm not sure you can ever go wrong with Alfredo sauce - ha! Love hearing that Charith!
Ruth
I made this lasagna while we were cabin camping and it was easy, delicious, and a huge hit with my family! I brought the ingredients, but we had no cell service where we were.to look up the recipe. I had to recall from memory. I added one cup of water and a jar of alfredo sauce, then cooked on high for 4 hours. It turned out perfect! I just put it together today using all of the listed ingredients and directions, but am adding that jar of alfredo sauce as well.
Oh, I also doubled the recipe and am going to cook it on high again today.
Court
Hi! Do you add a jar of Alfredo to the current meat sauce (jar of pasta sauce) ingredients or do you reduce the amount of tomato sauce to account for the Alfredo? Otherwise, doesn’t that throw off the recipe meat sauce to noodles ratio? Or do you just have leftovers of the new Alfredo/tomato sauce?
Pamela Westermen
Do you know if this could be done in the oven
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Pamela, this recipe was specifically created for the crock pot. If you are looking for an oven baked lasagna, check this one out: https://www.thecountrycook.net/homemade-baked-lasagna-recipe/
Jeannie
Can you use egg noodles instead and how long would it be then in crockpot . I would like to use like 1 or 2 bags sprinkle alot in the layers ??lol thanks
Brandie @ The Country Cook
You could but I've never tried it. So I couldn't really say. I'm sorry! Maybe someone on here will be able to answer this to help!
Kari
I use Egg noodles instead and everyone loves it, including our 4 kids! Cook time is about the same. My husband took a crockpot full snow goose hunting last year and all the guys loved it.
Salli Mccartin
Very well organized. Easy to read.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks Salli!
r showsay
can u prepare nite before, refrigerate— plug in next day? if no problem doing ahead of time approximate cook time since starting from refrig cold.
tnx u—-
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yes I believe you could that. I haven't tested it starting from cold so I honestly couldn't tell you how long it would take so you'll have to play it by ear. If you give it a try, please come back and let me know how it went!
Lisa Comito
Absolutely loved making lasagna this way as there is less mess and cleanup. I used homemade sauce instead of jar sauce, but other than that I followed the recipe exactly. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I will definitely be using this one again.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love, love, love hearing that Lisa! Thank you so very much!
Lindsay
I have a high 4-6 hours not a low if I cook it on high when should I check it?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
You’ll want to check it around the second hour. Just to be sure. Really it’s just the noodles needing time to soften.
PJ
Can this recipe be made with ground turkey? Thanks!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Absolutely! If that is something you enjoy
Jamie
Absolutely delicious, thank you for posting this recipe!
beth henderson
this was the best i ever made!!!! no real mess i loved it will be making many times more!!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you so very much Beth!!
Bridget Whitehead
Can I make this night before and set crockpot up next morning? Or will the noodles absorb some of the liquid?
Jesse
Shared
Erin
Would this turn out ok if I doubled the recipe in one crockpot?
Mamaof3
I have a big family and wanted to double the recipe in a 7 qt croc pot. Do you think this will work? Will it be too thick? Adjustment to time? Thank you
Mizz P
A review from someone who actually made this: It was great! I used plant-based meat crumbles and threw half a bag of frozen/thawed chopped spinach into the cheese mixture because it had been hanging around the freezer looking for somewhere to go. I cooked it at high for 3 hours and it turned out fabulous. Be sure to use your favorite jarred sauce (mine is Newman's Sockarooni) as it will figure predominantly in the finished product. Also, I used ricotta because that's what I had and it worked just fine. Definitely will bookmark this one!
Donna
Hi Brandie!
I had a quick question, have you tried it using the "no boil" noodles and if so, is the extra water necessary?
Thank you!
Kathryn
One try and this became my favorite recipe for lasagna! I've now made it several times and it is pure deliciousness every single time!!
Debby
The best lasagna I ever made.
Mikayla Winafeld
This is my go to recipe for lasagna! My family loves it and I plan on making it tonight for our family night! 🙂
Kevin
First time ever making lasagna in a crock pot. I am hooked! This recipe is amazing, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Thank You
Linda
Does it finish cooking in 4 or 6 hours? I'd like to make it for a potluck dinner.
Robert
could you use oven ready lasagna for this?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Robert - yes you could. Just follow the recipe as written and replace with oven ready noodles if that's what you have. 🙂
katelynn
How do you think this would fair with beefless ground or without meat?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Katelynn, I think it would be just fine! 🙂
Lisa
Can I substitute other dry pasta noodles to make it more of a casserole, or will they not cook properly?
JoAnne
A regular in our house - easy and delicious. My 100% Italian coworker won’t use any other lasagne recipe! Love this with the Bertolli olive oil and garlic pasta sauce. Great recipe and you can have lasagne in the summer without heating up the house with the oven.
Deanna
I’ve tried several crockpot lasagna recipes, and this one is by far the BEST!! My husband and 9 yr old immediately said “yum” after their 1st bite. I loved the flavor and the noodles were cooked perfectly, but for personal preference I might try adding a bit more sauce next time. But it was still very delicious!! I’m adding it to my personal collection of handwritten recipes!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Oh gracious-I love hearing this Deanna!! Thank you so very much for trying my recipe out. It really means the world. Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!!
Wilda
We loved this lasagna. Very quick and only a skillet and crock pot to cleanup. I do not like ricotta cheese because of the texture so cottage cheese makes it perfect.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
So happy you liked this recipe Wilda - thank you!
Dianne Klinski
I have plans to make that tonite, I'll have to get going on it if I'm going to have it in time for supper tho. Today has really gone by fast!
You would love this kitchen, it's huge!
Dianne Klinski
This looks awesome! I can't wait to try it with that cheesy garlic bread! I still need to try those butter biscuits again too, just got moved and finally got the kitchen the way I want it.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!! I know how it is getting a kitchen all set up to how you like it. Hope you love it!!
Phyllis
This is so good - thanks!
Stephanie
This was excellent! I make my own sauce and used a quart, which was a little watery, so I didn't add extra water to the sauce, I just poured a little around the edges, it was done to perfection in 4.5 hours. I was worried about the noodles being chewy because that's happened to me several times with other recipes where you don't cook the pasta first but that was not the case here! Very good, will be a regular in my house!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love, love, love hearing that Stephanie!! Makes my day!!
Irene
thank you
Irene
Can you prepare this a day before and bake the next day
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Definitely! It may just take a little longer to cook since it'll be starting from a colder temperature.
Ann
This was absolutely delicious !!!!!! Tasted like lasagna on the second day which is always better . I added green peppers and additional spices to the sauce itself so it would taste more like the one my kids love. The noodles were perfection ! Not over or under done ! My only criticism would be a tad more sauce bringing it all together but will never make the sheet pan version again ! Delish ????????????????
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay Ann!! Thank you so much for coming back to comment. Loved reading your feedback!
Elissa
Just made this for a potluck at work, was a little worried about how it would turn out but it was perfect! I made the meat sauce and cheese mixture night before and left them in containers in my fridge. Assembled in the crockpot in the morning and it was ready for lunch. I broke all the noodles into 2" pieces and arranged in layers to make serving out of the pot easier, seemed to work well and no cutting required.
Julie Pollitt
I love lasagna! It looks delicious!
Irene McKee
Can you make it a day ahead and put in the refrigerator?
Angie Johnson
Store was out of lasagna, Can I use bow tie pasta instead???
Katherine
Do you have a easy recipe for a peach cobbler?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Katherine! Here is a link to my favorite recipe. It is so easy and you can use any fruit with it: https://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/08/country-peach-cobbler.html
Tammy Richardson
This is the most delicious lasagna I've ever made!!
Brandie
So glad you are enjoying it 🙂
Kristi
Does this equate to making one 9x13 pan of lasagna?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Kristi! Yes, I would say so. This just comes out a little thicker.
Alice S.
I have had this recipe for years and have made it for years. Originally I made spaghetti sauce from scratch to mix with my ground beef and then I switched to store bought sauce. Why go to the extra steps? I have had raves about my crock pot lasagna, even by people who didn't like lasagna. Since making it in a crockpot, I have never made in the oven again.
Brandie (The Country Cook)
Hey there...Ricotta will work fine in this recipe. It may dry out though so that is why I use cottage cheese.
Serena
I know everyone keeps asking about the ricotta so I will say this: I have made it both ways and the cottage cheese is WAY better. She is right when she says the ricotta can dry out over the longer cooking process so that is why the cottage cheese works better. It really is an awesome recipe!
Denise
This was delicious! Like the others, I made it exactly to your recipe. Don't you hate when people completely change a recipe and tell you ALL of the changes they made? Just tell me how it turned out with THIS recipe! Grrr - that always frustrates me about recipe sites. Try it the way it is written first! Anyhow, this was perfect - thank you!!
Antonina Kisner
This was great! Thank you! Didn't change any ingredients and made it to your recipe.
Melanie
I made this lasagna and it was delicious. I only cooked mine for 4 hrs and the noodles were perfect.
Jean
I made this yesterday for my child care. I prepped it in the morning before kids started arriving.... It was AWESOME.... Big hit with the kids and myself... I even served some that night to my husband and he thought it was great... I honestly don't know if I would even make lasagna in a pan again after making this... Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe.
Jean
Tracey
This has become one of our FAVORITE dishes! We just made it again last night...so wonderful and so EASY!!! Anything I can cook in my Crock Pot is the BOMB as far as I'm concerned.
Kim Honeycutt
Hi Brandie! Thanks for sharing this.
motherof5
I made this tonight and my family loved it! I cooked on low for 4 hours, but it was probably done at 3.5 hours. I used a mix of ricotta cheese and cottage cheese and it turned out great!
Josie
Took this to a work potluck and everyone raved about this lasagna.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Josie! Yay!! Thank you so very much for coming back to let me know how it turned out. SO happy to hear that!!
History Girl
Made this last night, and it was delicious! I used one of the Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners (no cleanup! score!), and added pepperoni slices as one of the layers. It cooked in about 3.5 hours on low in my crockpot, so I'd recommend anyone keeping an eye on it as they cook it. My husband said it was the best lasagna he'd ever eaten!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love hearing that! Thank you so much History Girl!
Sherry
I substituted with ricotta. It was okay but I wished I had used cottage cheese like she has in the recipe. Lesson learned. Follow the recipe. Now I know that cottage cheese is used so it doesn't dry out.
Sandra Morrissey
Quick question, please answer quickly as I want to make this for dinner tonight. I have the no boil lasagna noodles. Is that what you are supposed to use for this recipe?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Sandra! I use just the regular boiling noodles for this (I just don't boilg them first). I haven't actually tried it with the no boil lasagna noodles but it should work.
Patti
This was good and I do urge everyone to make this recipe exactly how it is written (including the cottage cheese - even if you think you won't like it - trust me - you will!) So good!!
Sandra Morrissey
Looks like dinner tonight and your chicken parm recipe for tomorrow. Thank you, love your site.
ssmorrissey@att.net
Anonymous
this may sound stupid but I have pulled this recipe from freeze crock pot meals on pinterest......if I am making this a freeze meal, how do I do the cheese mixture.....do I put it all in one bag and freeze it too??? HELP PLEASE!!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hmmm, you know I've never actually frozen this before but I guess you could. I would do it like I would freeze regular lasagna. Put it all together and make sure it is wrapped really well in freezer safe wrapping. Make sure you put the date on it too 🙂
Jessica Shanahan
This looks delicious!! I'm having family stay with us from out of town and thinking about making this for dinner while they're here. How many people will this serve? Thanks!
Kellie M
Your recipe calls for grated parm but the pic shows shredded parm..I'm guessing there isn't a difference right?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Sorry for any confusion Kellie, you can use what you like here. The shredded or the grated 🙂
yung@foodyoo.com
This is really special, first time I know that actually can use a slow cooker to cook lasagna. And it looks so nice and delicious. Compare to a bake version, it seem moist and soft. 🙂
RobinAKAgoatmom
Crock pot is the only way I've made lasagna for 3 years now! To hot for a long oven time most of the year in FL. I'd be a toss up if I had to chose between oven or crock pot to keep in the kitchen! I love your site and check it at times I need dinner inspiration.
Anonymous
To cook this in the oven, you need to cover it with non-stick foil and bake for an hour at 350deg. Then uncover and bake for ten more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks for this helpful tip for others!
Cora Coleman
I was so excited to cook this and I couldn't find my slow cooker bowl. I am wondering can you cook this in an oven and what the time difference is for cooking time?!!
debby cole
I made this lasagna last week for my daughter which is a lasagna freak..lol and she loved it. And sooo easy to make...i will be making this more often..thanks for sharing.
Ambitious Blonde
Made this for dinner tonight, turned out great. Kids loved it and asked to keep it on rotation! I wish I had read the instructions all the way to the end before cooking, since I cooked it all day, instead of 4-6 hours, however it still turned out great. Just not as saucy as I would have liked.
Catherine
I made this for my husband's grandmother. She said it was the best lasagna she's ever tasted!
Anonymous
Love the crockpot lasagna. Following on facebook & pinterest!!Brandy- Carrythecross11@yahoo.com
Mary
Your recipes sound wonderful. I can't wait to try them!
I too am following you on Pintrest because I can't wait to see what foods you make next. Thanks for entering me in your contest.
Moy
I would love to try the Candy Bacon, it looks so yummy. She has some awesome recipes and been wanting some lasagna so def gonna try this recipe.
jennv7523
I think I want to try the almond joy cake!!!
jennv7523
Following on pinterest
ga.
Looks delicious and now following on Pinterest! Can't wait to try it!
bakingbad
This is one of my favorites Brandie:)
Marian
I made this 2 nights ago, and we are still happily eating the leftovers for lunch!! So yummy.
Krissy
I visited Jenna's blog and I'd like to try the Mini Meatloaf. I think my family will love it!
Krissy
kbmint@otelco.net
Krissy
I follow Jenna on Pinterest.
Krissy
kbmint@otelco.net
Krissy
I like the Newlyweds Blog on facebook.
Krissy
kbmint@otelco.net
Deborah Dowd
This looks so delicious and easy! I love my crockpot and this looks like a great way to do lasagna in the heat of summer!
Sheila Shook
There are so many recipes I plan on fixing but I think this wil be the first one - Sticky Chicken in Crock Pot
Sheila Shook
Ihave Likeed Newlyweds Blog on Facebook
Tex Debl
I liked her on Facebook and followed her on Pinterest (that place is addictive!). The salsa recipe looks perfect. I also checked out the caramel coconut pie (it looks and sounds like the girl scout cookies with coconut/chocolate and caramel). Entering to win but I'm definitely checking out her recipes also!
Anonymous
This really sounds easy, I use the crockpot a lot as I cannot cook on the stove being an oxygen user and it is not really safe, I will try this and I so it will be as wonderful as it sounds. Thanks.
Annie Oakley's Kitchen
I've never made a pasta dish in the slow cooker (honestly didn't know you could!) This opens up a whole new world to me!
elizabeth
I now follow on Pinterest too!
Thank you!
elizabeth
I follow the Newlyweds on Face Book!
elizabeth
I love anything pumpkin, and she shares that love! 🙂 I never thought this lasagna would REALLY turn out for me in the CP - okay, I will try!! 🙂
Thank you!
Linda A. Thompson Ditch
Oh I have to try this! It looks so much easier than my homemade recipe. And I could use this basic recipe to adapt my recipe to my slow cooker. Thanks for the inspiration!
Eliotseats
I definitely don't use my CP enough!
Kiri W.
Mmm, looks delicious 🙂 I love how versatile crock pots are turning out to be!
Tiffany
Following Jenna on Pinterest!
tmayberry03@gmail.com
Martha
Following Jenna on Pînterest!
Martha
I liked Jenna on Facebook! Love her recipes!
JODI
I want to make her pull-apart pumpkin cinnamon bread...yum!
JODI
I am following Jenna on Pinterest!
Wendy
I follow Jenna on pinterest!
Michelle
Want to try the Chicken Fried Steak!
Fotf
Wow - I did not think this would work but it totally does. And the cottage cheese is a necessity. It doesn't dry out like ricotta does while cooking slowly. I didn't change a thing - this recipe is perfect!
Rustown Mom
This looks great, especially for summer when I don't want the oven on in Central Texas! How ironic that i dropped my glass crock pot lid in the driveway yesterday coming home from a luncheon at work...oh, well....I am printing this one up for the future (:
Raychel Hunter
I broke my crock pot lid a while ago.. A couple layers of heavy duty foil work JUST FINE until I get a new one. 🙂
Theresa Oaks
I have done the same thing! Foil works very well until you can get another lid.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I'm following Jenna on Pinterest too!
Kristina
This looks delicious 🙂 Lasagna is my absolute favorite meal. It was my birthday dinner every year as a kid! I've never made it in a crock pot though! Looks like a great recipe!
Suzi
I have always wanted to try making lasagne in the slow cooker but never have. This looks really wonderful. Gotta give it a try. Thanks for posting this.
Steve
Have made a similar lasagna in the crock pot however this one is very good. Excellent is a better way to put it. Steve
Rita Taylor
I have looked at many crock pot /slow cooker recipes...yours was the only one I saw that told me to use a 5 qt cooker. Many thanks