Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna

This Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna or Deconstructed Slow Cooker Lasagna is a modern twist on a classic Italian dish that eliminates the hassle of layering ingredients. This crockpot lasagna recipe simplifies the cooking process while still delivering all the delicious flavors you crave.

lasagna on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled on top, and a fork beside it.

Whether you’re looking to save time in the kitchen or experiment with new variations, deconstructed slow cooker lasagna is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Making a homemade comfort food that the whole family loves just got easier with this Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna! This Italian dish often served on special occasions can now be enjoyed on any day thanks to delicious and traditional ingredients cooked in the crockpot.

Don’t you just love the convenience of the crockpot? This is why my Slow Cooker Ziti recipe is made so often in my home. I save so much time making our Crockpot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe – no rolling required!

Lasagna is another one of those meals that can be hefty in the prep and cook time. It’s a hands-on meal that requires attention, yet let’s be honest – our attention is often elsewhere. This is where this recipe saves the day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • QUICK AND EASY – Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna takes many of the steps out of making the traditional dish, and has the beauty of slow cooking with little effort.
  • TASTY – This best slow cooker lasagna is complete with classic meat mixture, mozzarella and ricotta cheese, pasta sauce, and oven-ready lasagna noodles!
  • VERSATILE – Whether it’s for a special occasion, or an easy meal idea for a weeknight dinner, this is the best crockpot lasagna with little effort. Paired with Air Fryer Garlic Bread Slices and you have a perfect comforting dinner.
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Serves: 6

Ingredients and Notes

This deconstructed lasagna recipe takes few simple ingredients. As always, the full recipe is on the printable recipe card ay the end of this post.

  • Ground Beef – I use lean ground beef. If regular is used, drain excess fat after cooking. We use the same in our Mexican Taco Lasagna.
  • Pasta Sauce – You can use any variety or flavor of tomato sauce, pasta sauce, spaghetti sauce, or even marinara sauce.
  • Uncooked Lasagna Noodles – I use regular lasagna noodles and not the ones you don’t have to boil.

Recipe Variations

  • You can either make this meatless, or substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, ground pork, or Italian sausage. For a vegetarian lasagna, try our Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe.
  • Add more or less spices to suit preferences.
  • Our easy crockpot lasagna recipe has no cottage cheese. Yet feel free to add some parmesan cheese if you wish. It’s a great topping, along with some fresh parsley for serving.
  • I use garlic cloves (fresh garlic) for this recipe, yet you can use garlic powder if you wish, or jarred minced garlic. You can even add some red pepper flakes for more spice.
  • Add more veggies with the addition of chopped mushrooms and/or chopped bell peppers when cooking the onion and beef.

Tips for Success

  • Remember, unlike a traditional lasagna recipe, you don’t even have to boil noodles for this easy crockpot lasagna recipe.
  • If you’d liek another lasagna variation, try our Mini Lasagna Cups Using Wonton Wrappers.

How to Make Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna

cooked ground beef in a frying pan with minced garlic and cooked onions.

STEP 1 – Spray the inside of the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Brown beef, onion, and garlic together in a frying pan or large skillet over medium heat. Transfer beef mixture to the slow cooker once cooked.

pieces of uncooked lasagna noodles on top of sauce in a black crockpot.

STEP 2 – Add the Italian seasoning, ricotta, pasta sauce, tomatoes to the meat sauce and stir to mix well. Break up the lasagna noodles and mix them in carefully. Add the beef broth along with salt and pepper if you wish, and mix.

uncooked shredded cheese on top of a sauce in a black crockpot.

STEP 3 – Cook for 5-6 hours on low setting, or 3-4 hours on high setting, depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks at. Periodically check for the doneness of the noodles. 

cheese and meat mixture being scooped out of a black crockpot.

STEP 4 – Near the last half hour of cooking, mix in 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the slow cooker lasagna recipe. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and replace the lid to let it melt. 

lasagna on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled on top, and a fork beside it.

STEP 5 – When it’s melted, serve this easy lasagna recipe warm and enjoy! You can garnish with fresh basil or fresh parsley.

Serving Suggestion

Easy slow cooker lasagna pairs well with a green tossed salad and garlic toast or garlic bread. This easy crockpot meal is a hearty dish in itself.

Storage

Place lasagna leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Reheat in the microwave until heated through. If it has become dry, mix in some pasta sauce before heating.

Recipe FAQ

What is deconstructed lasagna?

It uses the same ingredients as traditional lasagna, yet mixed all together requiring less work in layering and keeping the layers intact.

How long to cook lasagna in crockpot?

Cook for 5-6 hours on low setting, or 3-4 hours on high setting.

More Easy Recipes

If you’ve tried this deconstructed lasagna slow cooker with jar sauce or any other recipe on my blog please let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Finally, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

lasagna on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled on top, and a fork beside it.

Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna

Slow Cooker Easy Lasagna has the convenience of a deconstructed lasagna without the hassle of the traditional. Say goodbye to complicated recipes and hello to simplicity without sacrificing taste with this easy recipe for crockpot lasagna. 
4.63 from 16 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Tammi

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 onion (diced)
  • 2 tsp garlic (minced or 1 tsp powder)
  • 1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 700 ml pasta sauce (I use tomato basil)
  • 14 oz diced tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 6-8 lasagna noodles (oven-ready type)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups mozzarella (shredded)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper (as desired)

Instructions

  • Brown beef, onion, and garlic together in a frying pan. Transfer beef to the slow cooker once cooked.
  • Add the seasoning, ricotta, pasta sauce, tomatoes. Mix well. Break up the lasagna noodles and mix them in carefully. Add the beef broth along with salt and pepper if you wish, and mix. 
  • Cook for 5 -6 hours on low, 3 – 4 hours on high, depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks at. Periodically check for the doneness of the noodles. 
  • Near the last half hour of cooking, mix in 1 cup of the mozzarella. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and replace the lid to let it melt. 
  • When it’s melted, serve and enjoy! 

Notes

Place lasagna leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat in the microwave until heated through. If it has become dry, mix in some pasta sauce before heating.
Tried this recipe?Tag @MyOrganizedChaosBlog so I can share!

Nutrition

Serving: 6people | Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1342mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g
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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We love the convenience and ease of making this deconstructed crockpot lasagna. So much easier and just delicious.

  2. Exactly what I was looking for! This was delicious 🙂. I used cream cheese in place of ricotta since my husband’s not a fan. I used Italian made noodles. Didn’t even know to look for oven ready. Anyhow, they worked just fine. Thanks for this amazing recipe!

  3. This looks delicious but I have a question…..I don’t have ricotta cheese but I have cottage cheese or mozzarella/cheddar, even goat cheese. Could I use any of these as a substitute? I also have regular lasagna noodles not oven ready could I maybe patr boil them. If you could help me out that would be great thank you

    1. Hi Lynn, for sure – the ordinary noodles yet cook them el dente. I have used cottage cheese and cheese before and it turned out perfectly, though I haven’t used goat cheese. 🙂

  4. Wow this looks so amazing and so easy to just put it together and walk away and not worry about checking it as often. Very nice recipe.

4.63 from 16 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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