The Best Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a hands-off way to make a comforting, cheesy lasagna without heating up your whole kitchen, you’re going to love this. The Best Crockpot Lasagna is a set-it-and-forget-it dinner dream. With layers of meat, sauce, noodles, and cheese, all slow-cooked to melty perfection, it delivers big comfort with barely any effort. And the best part? No pre-cooking the noodles. This easy crockpot lasagna is perfect for busy families, college students, working professionals, or anyone who just wants lasagna without the oven. Want to compare homemade oven-baked lasagna vs crockpot convenience? You’ll love our Homemade Lasagna Recipe from Scratch.

Why The Best Crockpot Lasagna Works for Everyone

Let’s face it—traditional lasagna can be a bit much. Boil the noodles, cook the sauce, layer everything meticulously, and then wait an hour while it bakes. But The Best Crockpot Lasagna skips all that fuss. You simply layer everything in your slow cooker and walk away. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or someone who wants dinner ready after work, this slow cooker lasagna is going to be your new favorite.

It’s:

  • A kid-friendly crockpot meal
  • Totally freezer-friendly
  • Super budget-friendly (under $9 total!)
  • An excellent one-pot lasagna meal option

Ingredients You Need for The Best Crockpot Lasagna

You don’t need anything fancy. Here’s your core ingredient list:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 9–10 no-boil lasagna noodles
  • 4–5 cups jarred marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional but fun:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese (a great ricotta cheese alternative)
  • Italian seasoning mix
  • Extra grated parmesan
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Want more beef-and-cheese goodness? Try our Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef next—it’s another crowd-pleaser with simple ingredients.

Quick Ingredient Prep Tips

To save even more time, here are a few prep tricks that make The Best Crockpot Lasagna even easier:

  • Use pre-cooked ground beef: Cook it ahead and store in the fridge or freezer.
  • Opt for jarred marinara sauce: Choose your favorite brand or make your own if you’re feeling fancy.
  • Choose pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to save yourself the grating.
  • No-boil lasagna noodles are a MUST. Don’t substitute regular unless you want a mushy mess.
  • Looking for even quicker lasagna prep ideas? We’ve got a shortcut-filled Easiest Lasagna Recipe Ever that skips even more steps.

How to Make Lasagna in Crockpot – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to build The Best Crockpot Lasagna like a pro:

  1. Grease your crockpot with a little olive oil or nonstick spray.
  2. Start with sauce: Pour about 1 cup of marinara on the bottom of the crock.
  3. Break your noodles to fit the crockpot shape. Don’t worry if they overlap slightly.
  4. Layer in this order: Sauce → noodles → ground beef → cheese. Repeat 2 more times.
  5. Add a final layer of sauce and sprinkle with extra shredded mozzarella on top.
  6. Cover and cook:
    • LOW for 4–6 hours
    • HIGH for 2–3 hours
  7. In the last 15 minutes, remove the lid carefully and shake off condensation to avoid soggy cheese. Sprinkle a bit more mozzarella for good measure.
  8. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving so it sets nicely when sliced.

Looking for other amazing slow cooker meals? Don’t miss our bold and flavorful Crock Pot Birria Tacos.

Crockpot Lasagna Pro Tips

Want to make The Best Crockpot Lasagna truly foolproof? These tips help:

  • Always put sauce at the bottom. This prevents the noodles from sticking or getting too dry.
  • Don’t skip the resting time after cooking—this helps the lasagna hold its shape.
  • Want crispy cheese? Scoop individual portions into a baking dish and broil for 3–4 minutes.
  • Double the recipe in a larger crockpot and freeze individual slices.
  • Add spinach or mushrooms between layers to sneak in veggies.

How Much Does It Cost?

Let’s break it down:

  • Full batch: $7.63–$8.87 total
  • Per serving: $1.27–$1.48
  • Half-meat version: $1.07 per serving
  • Serve with salad and bread: ~$2.10 per person

This budget-friendly lasagna is perfect when you want to feed a crowd without spending much.

Why This Is the Best Crockpot Lasagna You’ll Ever Make

Here’s what makes it a repeat winner:

  • No oven required – amazing for hot weather cooking
  • No-boil lasagna noodles = less mess
  • Minimal cleanup
  • Set it and forget it
  • Super comforting and customizable

Want to compare homemade oven-baked lasagna vs crockpot convenience? You’ll love our Homemade Lasagna Recipe from Scratch.

Can I Freeze It?

Yes! The Best Crockpot Lasagna is a freezer-friendly lasagna recipe that reheats beautifully. Cool completely, slice into portions, and wrap tightly before freezing. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

FAQs

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes—use mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based meat instead of beef.

Do I have to use ricotta?

Nope! Cottage cheese, cream cheese, or skipping it entirely all work fine.

Is this good for meal prep?

Absolutely. It’s one of the best crockpot dinner ideas for batch cooking.

Can kids eat this?

Yes—it’s one of our favorite kid-friendly crockpot meals. Mild and cheesy!

Print
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Side view of a cheesy crock pot lasagna slice with meat sauce on a white plate and colorful napkin.

The Best Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Easy, Cheesy Weeknight Dinners


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  • Author: Jake
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

A set-it-and-forget-it lasagna that’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for weeknights. Made with no-boil noodles and cooked to perfection in the crockpot.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 910 no-boil lasagna noodles
  • 45 cups jarred marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional: 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
  • Italian seasoning mix (optional)
  • Grated parmesan (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Grease crockpot with olive oil or nonstick spray.
  2. Spread 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom.
  3. Break noodles to fit and layer over sauce.
  4. Add a layer of cooked ground beef.
  5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Repeat layers: sauce → noodles → beef → cheese, 2 more times.
  7. Top with sauce and extra mozzarella cheese.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
  9. In the last 15 minutes, remove lid and shake off condensation.
  10. Sprinkle more cheese if desired and let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use no-boil noodles only. Letting it rest is key for perfect slices. Great for meal prep or freezing in portions.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Two-panel collage of crock pot lasagna with golden melted cheese and layered meat sauce on white plates.
Collage of three views of cheesy crock pot lasagna slices with beef sauce, melted mozzarella, and lasagna noodles on white plates.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a meal-prep queen, a college student feeding roommates, or just tired after work, The Best Crockpot Lasagna has your back. It’s a comforting, satisfying, no-stress recipe that’s impossible to mess up. Once you try this slow cooker lasagna, you’ll never go back to boiling noodles again.

For more Italian-inspired easy weeknight dinners, try our Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet. Or if you’re still on a lasagna kick, here’s the Easiest Lasagna Recipe Ever for those extra lazy days.

This is lasagna without oven drama, and yes—it really is The Best Crockpot Lasagna.

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