Slow Cooker Meaty Lasagna (Print Version)
Tender pasta, robust meat sauce, and melty cheese combine for a deliciously easy crowd-pleaser.
# Ingredients:
→ Meat Mixture
01 -
2 teaspoons olive oil
02 -
1 medium onion, diced
03 -
2 pounds ground beef
04 -
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
05 -
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
06 -
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
07 -
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
08 -
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
09 -
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
10 -
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
11 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 -
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
13 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese Mixture
14 -
3 cups ricotta cheese
15 -
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
16 -
1/2 cup grated Romano
17 -
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
18 -
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
19 -
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
20 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
21 -
2 large eggs, beaten
→ Lasagna Assembly
22 -
Nonstick cooking spray
23 -
15 uncooked lasagna noodles
24 -
2 cups grated mozzarella
25 -
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
# Steps:
01 -
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and diced onion. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add ground beef, sausage, and garlic, and cook until browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Add diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
02 -
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan, Romano, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, and beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
03 -
Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon one-quarter of the meat mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker, then top with 5 lasagna noodles, broken to fit. Spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat this process two more times, starting with the meat mixture and ending with mozzarella for a total of three layers. For the fourth layer, top with the remaining meat mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella.
04 -
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. After cooking, turn off the heat and let the lasagna rest for 30 minutes.
05 -
Sprinkle the lasagna with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving ensures it holds together when sliced.