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This no-boil Slow Cooker Lasagna has just the right amount of each layer and is perfectly fork-tender. Plenty of beef and cheese and great for feeding the family and having leftovers.
Featured Comment
“Worked out great! My family was thrilled to have lasagna on a week night and I was thrilled with how easy it was to make.”
– Julie M.
With this easy recipe, you can prepare, cover, and cook without turning on the oven and heating up your kitchen. You’ll end up with evenly cooked noodles, a delicious cheese filling, and perfectly melted cheese on top. We have tested this recipe until we reached perfection, and I know your family will enjoy it. It is the best slow cooker lasagna you will find on the internet!
Crockpot Lasagna Video
Key Ingredients
Here is what you need to make this easy homemade meal. For recipe amounts, see the recipe card below the images.
- Ground Beef: I recommend using beef with the lowest fat content (96/4 or 93/7 are two of the best you can get at a local grocery store).
- Lasagna Noodles: I use the Barilla brand; these are not no-boil lasagna noodles. These are regular lasagna noodles. You will be using these noodles uncooked. I usually don’t recommend adding uncooked noodles to the slow cooker, but for lasagna, they cook up perfectly – it’s magic!
- Meat Mixture Ingredients: In addition to the beef, onion, Rao’s marinara sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and water are mixed to make the tasty meat mixture.
- Cheese Mixture: Ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, parsley, and garlic powder, combined to make the cheese filling.
How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Cook the seasoned ground beef and onion in a skillet until browned, then stir in marinara and water.
- Mix together the eggs, cheeses, and seasonings to form a creamy cheese blend.
- Spray your crockpot, then layer sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture in repeating layers.
- Top with mozzarella and cook until bubbly and set.
Tips & Variations
Tempted to make changes to the recipe? Be careful to make changes for this recipe has been tested and has the perfect amount of liquid to cook the noodles properly. Here are some approved changes that won’t affect the overall outcome.
- Ricotta Swap: Cottage cheese can be used in place of ricotta. Using cottage cheese instead of ricotta can be more budget friendly. The lasagna will be even moister if you use cottage cheese.
- Vegetarian: Instead of using ground beef, you can make it a vegetarian lasagna by including diced tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh basil, zucchini, squash, and other veggies of your choice.
- Veggies: You can add additional vegetables to the meat sauce, mushrooms and a handful of fresh spinach can add so much to the flavor.
- Double the Beef: If you are used to more beef in your lasagna, you can use two pounds of ground beef instead of one. (Or use one pound of Italian sausage and one pound beef!).
What to serve with Lasagna
Here are my favorite ways to serve this meal:
- Pull out the authentic Italian flavor of this crockpot lasagna by serving it with garlic bread.
- Adding a fresh garden salad is always a great match for pasta.
- Roasted veggies make a fantastic side addition to this slow cooker lasagna, especially these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Carrots.
- Sprinkle the lasagna with grated parmesan and red pepper flakes.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe
This Slow Cooker Lasagna is a cheesy, comforting classic layered with seasoned ground beef, rich marinara, and a creamy ricotta mixture—all cooked to perfection right in your crockpot.
How to Video
Ingredients
- non-stick cooking spray
- 16 oz. lasagna noodles, (uncooked) I use Barilla brand – Regular lasagna noodles, not no boil noodles.
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground pepper
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 48 oz. Rao's Marinara Sauce, (two 24-oz. jars)
- 1 cup water
Cheese Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 15 oz. whole milk ricotta
- 1 cup shredded parmesan
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. dried parsley, or dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- dried parsley for garnish , (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown the meat with the onion. Season the meat with the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook your beef until no longer pink. Draining isn’t necessary unless you’re using high-fat ground beef.
- Pour the marinara sauce in, along with the water. Stir and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the eggs, then mix in the cheeses and seasonings. Add the salt, parsley and garlic powder, stir.
- Before you start layering. Separate the lasagna noodles into 4 evenish piles. Noodle counts vary by brand, but plan for 4–5 noodles per layer
- Spray slow cooker with non stick spray. Now it's time to layer:
- 1.5 cups meat sauce mixture (bottom layer) 4-5 lasagna noodles, can be broken up and can be stacked (1/4 of the box)1.5 cups meat sauce1/3 of the cheese mixture (dollop it on, then spread it out)4-5 lasagna noodles (1/4 of the box)1.5 cups meat sauce1/3 of the cheese mixture4-5 lasagna noodles (1/4 of the box)1.5 cups meat sauce1/3 cup cheese mixture4-5 Lasagna noodles (1/4 of the box)Remaining meat sauce – This will be a little over 2 cups; use it all.2 cups mozzarella – Sprinkle evenly on top.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve and enjoy! Sprinkle with parsley if desired for garnish.
Sarah’s Notes
- If your layers get out of order, don’t fret. It will still turn out great!
- Rao’s sauce can be spendy. I find it drastically cheaper at Walmart compared to other stores and be sure to stock up if you ever see it on sale. The flavor of it can’t be beat.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1519mg | Potassium: 785mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1215IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 490mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!
More Lasagna Style Recipes
- This Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna is a shortcut version of the classic, using frozen ravioli for a cheesy, layered dinner with minimal prep.
- Creamy and comforting, Slow Cooker White Lasagna Soup is a cozy twist on lasagna with tender noodles, chicken, and a rich, cheesy broth.
- Slow Cooker Million Dollar Spaghetti combines hearty pasta, meat sauce, and creamy cheese layers for a decadent, family-style casserole.
- Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup has all the classic flavors of lasagna in a warm, spoonable form, perfect for busy weeknights. Want something easier than lasagna? Try My Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs, that is made with frozen meatballs.
Can I make this in my casserole crock?
Hi Bonnie, I have not tested in the casserole crock, but I think it would be fine.
I make my lasagna in the casserole slow cooker all of the time and it turns out wonderful
Currently in crockpot now , was a breeze to make I added by homemade bechamel to top along with the mozzarella as that is how I do my traditional lasagna . Can’t wait to try it tonight . I’ll update once we have it .
It was amazing . The layers were perfect and cooked up nicely . I’m still in shock at how well it turned out in a crockpot. I did use 3 lbs of meat (2 of beef and 1 sweet Italian sausage) and fresh garlic and 1/2 cup wine as well as water and my bechamel sauce on top . Will make again for sure .
Made the lasagna today and it tasted so good. I cooked it on high for 2 hours instead of the stated 4 and it came out perfect. My husband was impressed.
Worked out great! My family was thrilled to have lasagna on a week night and I was thrilled with how easy it was to make.
Great to hear Julie!
Delicious! The whole family loved it. Easy to follow and came out perfect!
I’m so happy you tried this!
Hi Sarah, your recipe looks really good. I am in the UK. What can I use instead of Marinara sauce, as I have never seen it here.
Thanks,
Barbara
Any spaghetti sauce! It’s pretty much the same thing.
Can a crockpot liner be used?
Yes!
If one wanted to cut the recipe in half, would you think using a 3-4 quart round slow cooker would work?
I think that would work fine!
What do I need to change around to make this cause I can’t stand ricotta or cottage cheese?
Thank you,
Debby
I would add more cheese for sure and maybe a little more sauce.
Looks so yummy No precooked noodles are a great thing to help me out . I am going to make this for my daughter and son in law for their 1st day of babysitting their fur nephew for me so I can go see my grandson at his 1st birthday
I am so excited to see them and my daughter loves lasagna so this will be a treat for them.