This Crockpot Lasagna is made with just a few ingredients and no precooking the noodles! An easy crockpot meal you can set and forget. Includes step by step recipe video down below.
This Crockpot Lasagna is one of those recipes that I didn’t actually expect to be as good as I hoped it would be, and we were blown away by the results!
With just a few ingredients (what?!) and a few hours in the slow cooker, it is the perfect weeknight meal or Sunday dinner.
I wasn’t sure how lasagna noodles would do in the slow cooker for several hours.
Normally when I make pasta in the crockpot (like this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles or this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese), I add the pasta just for the last 15 or 20 minutes so they are not overcooked.
But since lasagna noodles are larger and they are stacked, this recipe comes together perfectly in just 3 or 4 hours — no mushy noodles, just big flavor.
And, yes, I’ve kept it simple, but I’ve included tons of additions and ways to make it your own down below.
But it is incredibly delicious and comforting just the way it is 😉
Variations and substitutions for Crockpot Lasagna:
If you’ve been around here before, you know I believe in making things your own and try to include helpful tips on ways to make most recipes just the way you like them.
Obviously, I haven’t tested all of these substitutions but I do cook all day, every day so I’ve learned a thing or two 😉
Can I swap out the Italian sausage?
The Italian sausage is responsible for a lot of the flavor in this Crockpot Lasagna (just like it is in this Skillet Lasagna Recipe), since I kept it to just a few ingredients.
You can substitute the Italian sausage for turkey sausage (for a lighter recipe), or ground beef, chicken or turkey.
If you opt for unseasoned ground meat, you will want to add additional seasoning when you are browning it.
Can I use oven ready lasagna noodles?
I haven’t tested this recipe with oven ready noodles, so I can’t make any promises.
My best guess is that it would work fine, but you may want to check the lasagna for doneness a little sooner.
Can I add ricotta, cottage cheese or beschamel?
Absolutely!
I make my classic Easy Lasagna Recipe with a layer of Ricotta cheese, but I know many others love cottage cheese or beschamel.
However you love to make your regular oven baked lasagna, you can do the same here.
Simply whip up your favorite addition (see my Easy Lasagna Recipe above for a ricotta mixture recipe), and spread it in the layers as you normally would.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely!
There are lots of ways to add extra vegetables here.
Feel free to stir some shredded or finely chopped vegetables into the sausage as it browns, or stir in some chopped spinach just before layering.
Tips for making the best Slow Cooker Lasagna:
- Lightly grease your crockpot: we don’t want any of that deliciousness to stick!
- Cook on low: I really try to avoid using my crockpot on high unless I have to. Because the outer edges will already cook more quickly on low, I avoid using high because it may cause your edges to burn before the inside is cooked through.
- Don’t stress over perfect layers: you will have to break your noodles to fit, and it won’t be perfect. Don’t worry! It’s okay if they overlap a bit, or they don’t cover completely. As the noodles cook, they will expand and cover and mishaps 😉
- Broil, if you want to: I know there are a lot of you out there who love a good crispy browned cheese crust. Most slow cooker crocks are oven safe, so you can broil the cheese for a few minutes before serving if desired (but be sure to check first!).
More easy crockpot meals you’ll love!
- Crockpot Meatloaf — total comfort food!
- Crockpot Pineapple Chicken — also made with 6 ingredients!
- Crockpot Whole Chicken — perfect for meal prepping!
- Crockpot Potato Soup — rich and creamy!
- Crock Pot Pulled Pork — so juicy and flavorful!
Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 375 grams Italian sausage (mild or spicy, ¾ lb)
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 9 lasagna noodles (not oven ready)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium high heat, cook Italian sausage and onion until completely browned.
- Stir in pasta sauce, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Lightly grease a 2.5-4 quart slow cooker (ideally not the deep round kind, but an oval casserole one with more surface area).
- Spread a little bit of sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sticking.
- Place 3 lasagna noodles in the bottom of the slow cooker, breaking to fit (save any broken pieces to fill in gaps later). Spread with ⅓ sauce, and top with ⅓ mozzarella and ⅓ Parmesan.
- Repeat layers two more times (if you have extra sauce and noodles, you can add a fourth layer if you wish!)
- Put the lid on and cook on low for 2.5-3 hours, until noodles are softened.
- Turn the slow cooker off and allow to sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Italian sausage: you can swap the sausage for ground beef, turkey or chicken, but you may want to add additional herbs and seasonings.
- Cheeses: you can layer some ricotta in with the mozzarella for extra cheesiness!
- Vegetables: feel free to add additional vegetables with the onion, or stir in some fresh spinach before layering.
Nutrition Information
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Beth Stanley says
I’m not going to lie, I was worried it wasn’t going to work! I was busy making the meat and sauce, and then I read the part that says “not the deep round kind of crockpot”… and that’s all that I have! I thought to myself “well, I’ve made all of this now, what have I got to lose? I’ll just try it.” And sure enough, it was GREAT! I’ve always wanted to make lasagna and this was a breeze and SO tasty! I love that it is pretty light, not too heavy like many lasagnas you get in restaurants. I will DEFINITELY add this into my rotation!
The Recipe Rebel says
So happy to hear Beth! Thank you!
Mel says
I was looking for an easy, fool-proof and tasty lasagna recipe and I trust the Recipe Rebel’s recipes and reviews. I used “hot” over “mild” sausage, and the only thing I adjusted was reducing the amount of salt.
I am so pleased with the results! Such comfort food! I have rarely ever made lasagna (too much work!) and I’ve never made such an easy lasagna and I’ll definitely make it again! And also a great use of the crock pot (which doesn’t see a lot of use lately!)
Thank you for this awesome recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Laurie says
Hi,
I made this recipe, and it was delicious! I’m looking for a low base crockpot. Where did you find the crockpot shown here?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Laurie, it’s the Crockpot brand, 2.5 quart size.
Elizabeth says
Would I be able to swap out the pasta for zucchini? I imagine the cook time would be less too
The Recipe Rebel says
I’m sure you could, but I’ve not tested the recipe with zucchini so I wouldn’t be able to advise on specifics on what to do.
Delia says
I tried the Tuscan chicken, it was my first time. I don’t really like cooking, but I’ll be trying the slow cooker lasagna meal today. I’ll be cooking for my mom and I. I really enjoy your recipes, it’s not too complicated, and it was fun! 🤩
The Recipe Rebel says
Hope you enjoy it Delia!
Kimberly Chadwell says
I wanted to try this I don’t like onions would it make a big difference if I didn’t use them?
The Recipe Rebel says
You can leave them out! Hope you enjoy it Kimberly!
Gayle Ann says
Forgot to mention, when I make the filling, I double it in my KitchenAid, and actually use the second bowl to make another double batch. Put into ziploc bags, pressing flat, and freeze. Let at least partially defrost, and then break it into 2 pieces, once for each layer. Makes making it the second time so much easier.
Gayle Ann says
I make a filling of 1 carton of ricotta cheese, 2T parsley, and an egg, for each batch. I also use hamburger, and precook it with some garlic and minced onion.
I’ve given the prepped ingredients to people in need of a meal, and it works well because if they have been given several, it all goes into the freezer, minus the jar of Prego meat sauce, until they need it. Pasta, baggie of cooked meat, bag of filling, bag of shredded mozzarella for the top. I find I use about 2/3 of one of the LARGE plastic jars. Some recipes call for adding water for the pasta. I prefer adding extra sauce.
My layers:
sauce
pasta
sauce
cheese and meat filling
sauce
pasta
sauce
cheese and meat filling
sauce
pasta
Put more sauce on top of the fresh pasta sheet, than under it.
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear! Thanks Gayle Ann!
Gayle Ann says
I make this, and I use the fresh pasta sheets from the grocery store. I like them better than hard noodles. They fit perfectly, and no breaking the noodles to fit. I also get an extra layer… pasta, filling, pasta, filling, pasta, so it looks more like “regular” lasagna.
I also find Prego works best. It is a stronger flavor, and the others I tried, Berolli comes to mind first, were so bland that it was tasteless. Also, don’t overcook, as it changes the sauce flavor and not for the better.
Susan says
I made this tonight exactly as written and it was so,so good….first time for me to make lasagna but this will definitely be my go to recipe…
Thank you for such a easy and good recipe…
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Susan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
TL says
Going to make this for supper tonight. I’ve just poured water into my crock pot to figure out how big it is 🤣 it’s not quite at the rim and it’s holding 5 quartz …. It’s bigger than what you use – how should I adjust ingredients/cook time?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi TL, I’m not sure you would have to adjust the time too much. I would just start checking the noodles at the timing given in the directions and go from there. Hope you enjoy it!
Beka says
Did you use tomato paste or tomato sauce?
Aubrey says
I tried this and unfortunately it burned to a crisp. I left for work around 6:30 am on low set to cook for 3 hours. It was set to keep it warm until I got home from work, but it was very burnt when I returned. What did I do wrong?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Aubrey, I’m sorry to hear that happened. This cooks in only 2 1/2-3 hours so it sounds like it was overcooked.
Sierra says
Could you double this recipe? I have a family of 5 and this barely gave us all a bowl when I made it. They LOVE it and it makes busy nights so easy.
Susan says
Can this be made the day before???
Ashley Fehr says
Yes it can. I wouldn’t reheat it in the slow cooker though as the noodles may get too mushy
Tiffany says
So incredibly easy to make! Tastes wonderful as the recipe is. My family loved it!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Tiffany!
Hannah Jones says
Tried it after reading the recipe. My family enjoyed it so much as they want it again the next day. This is also a good food to bring for potlucks and family lunches, thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Hannah!
Jennie says
If I can use my instant pot as a slow cooker, how long and what pressure should I use?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Jennie! I have actually never used the slow cooker setting on my Instant Pot so I don’t know that I’m the best judge
Theresa H. says
My crockpot has its settings by hours not by low/medium/ high. Should I put it on the 8 or 10 he program and then just time it myself for 2.5 or 3 hours? Thoughts?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Theresa! That is strange. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crockpot that doesn’t have a temperature setting. I would just choose 8 hours and then set another timer for 2.5-3 hours.
Robin Dierksen says
Made this for dinner tonight and my husband and I both really enjoyed it. Easiest lasagna I have ever made. It is going on my dinner rotation.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Robin! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Kimberly says
Could you use hamburger meat instead of Italian sausage?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! You will just want to add extra herbs and spices
Kathy Rowland says
I usually do the grocery store freezer lasagna, but this looks fun, easy, and delicious. Will give it a try! Kathy at quiethollow.com
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kathy!