Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
Easy crockpot lasagna is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked noodles and a creamy, cheese-filled center every time. The cozy, comforting aroma will fill your home and make your family beg for seconds. Start with the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent a soggy lasagna. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Carrot Cake Ice Cream with Warm Spices and Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach.
Why This Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout taste
- Creamy, cheesy center
- Easy cleanup with the crockpot
What You'll Need for Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Optional: Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: Grated parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage if preferred.
- lasagna noodles: No-boil noodles can be used, but the cooking time may vary.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Cooks lasagna hands-off, keeping your kitchen cool → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked meat, preventing overcooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
- Step 1: Brown ground beef with onion and garlic in a large skillet until cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Step 4: Layer lasagna noodles, followed by a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a generous scoop of meat sauce. Repeat layers, ending with a final layer of noodles and cheese.
- Step 5: Cover crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until noodles are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 6: Let lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil and grated parmesan if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the lasagna by keeping an eye on the cooking time. If the lasagna is still not tender after 4 hours on low, add a little water to the crockpot and continue cooking.
- Pro tip: For an even creamier lasagna, mix a cup of ricotta with an egg and a tablespoon of milk before dolloping onto the noodles.
- Pro tip: To prevent the lasagna from sticking to the crockpot, lightly grease the bottom and sides with cooking spray before adding the first layer.
- Pro tip: For a heartier lasagna, add sliced mushrooms or spinach to the meat sauce before layering.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen, or assembled in the crockpot and refrigerated overnight before cooking.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use no-boil lasagna noodles and add a little extra water to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the lasagna in the crockpot, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Cook as directed the next day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your family's size.
- Troubleshooting: If the lasagna is still not tender after the recommended cooking time, add a little water to the crockpot and continue cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Crockpot liner — Makes cleanup a breeze, preventing stuck-on cheese and sauce → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown ground beef with onion and garlic in a large skillet until cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Step 4: Layer lasagna noodles, followed by a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a generous scoop of meat sauce. Repeat layers, ending with a final layer of noodles and cheese.
- Step 5: Cover crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until noodles are tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 6: Let lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil and grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, use no-boil lasagna noodles and add a little extra water to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the lasagna in the crockpot, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Cook as directed the next day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your family's size.
- Troubleshooting: If the lasagna is still not tender after the recommended cooking time, add a little water to the crockpot and continue cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen, or assembled in the crockpot and refrigerated overnight before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna in the crockpot and refrigerate overnight before cooking. Alternatively, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
Overcooking the lasagna can cause it to become dry. Keep an eye on the cooking time and add a little water to the crockpot if necessary.
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna in a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the noodles are tender.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire lasagna in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
Yes, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles in this recipe. The cooking time may vary, so keep an eye on the lasagna to ensure it doesn't overcook.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
