Crockpot Lasagna with Meat Sauce

about the recipe

Ready to take your lasagna game to the next level? Look no further than this delicious crockpot lasagna recipe! This slow cooked version of the classic Italian dish is sure to be a hit with your family. With layers of gooey cheese teamed with a meaty tomato sauce, this tasty yet easy meal will have everyone coming back for seconds.

INGREDIENTS

– 16 ounces ground beef – 1 onion chopped – 2 celery stalks chopped – 1 teaspoon minced garlic – 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon salt – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper – 28- ounces crushed tomatoes – 6 ounces tomato paste – 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar – 30 ounces ricotta cheese – 4 ounces parmesan cheese divided – 2 eggs beaten – 12 uncooked lasagna noodles – 16 ounces mozzarella cheese grated and divided

– Heat a skillet to medium heat. Add the ground beef, and cook, stirring to break it up, until it just starts to brown. Add the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes longer. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

– Drain any accumulated fat. Sprinkle the mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes.

– Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste and stir until everything is incorporated.

– While the meat sauce is cooking, stir together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and eggs in a bowl.

– To assemble, spoon 1 cup of the meat sauce into the bottom of an electric slow cooker. Top with 4 noodles, breaking them as necessary to fit the crockpot.

– Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodle and 1 cup of the sauce. Sprinkle with ¾ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers.n. Cook for 2 minutes and then taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking.

– Top with a final layer of the lasagna noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and sauce. 

– Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, adding the remaining cheese in the last 20 minutes of cooking.