Crockpot Lasagna

You all know how much I love using my crockpot! It's one kitchen appliance I believe everyone should have. Slow cookers produce some of the most tender and flavorful dinners!

I never imagined I would be making lasagna in my crockpot but when I read on Facebook about a friend who had made it, I was more than intrigued and had to try it. The outcome? A meaty, cheesy, gooey lasagna that was oh so good!!!! My whole family loved it! I used ground beef like the recipe calls for but it would also be good with sausage.

Thanks Linda for sharing this recipe with me!

Crockpot Lasagna
Source: About.com

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed and minced
1 large jar spaghetti sauce (such as Ragu in the 1 lb. 10 oz. jar)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) no-boil lasagna noodles
16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 lb. ricotta cheese
1/4 c. milk
1 egg
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan/Romano cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown the beef, onion, and garlic in a little oil in a frying pan. Drain off any grease. Add the spaghetti sauce into the browned meat mixture. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, milk, and egg. Beat until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Then mix in the mozzarella cheese and the grated cheese, so that all the cheeses are combined.

Grease the slow cooker/Crock Pot with some vegetable shortening on the bottom and sides.

Put about 1/4 of the meat and sauce mixture in the bottom of the slow cooker/Crock Pot. Put a layer of noodles on top of that (break or cut them if needed). Put about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of that. Then repeat with sauce, noodles, cheese for another 2 layers. Top with meat sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until noodles are tender.