Cheese and Sausage Slow Cooker Lasagna has all the flavors you love of a traditional baked lasagna, except it's easier to make without worrying about fussy layers.
For additional Italian and Italian-inspired dishes, I invite you to try the following recipes as well: Italian Sausage and Orzo Stuffed Peppers, Tomato and Bacon Pasta with Mascarpone, Baked Eggplant and Zucchini Layered Lasagna, Easy Caprese Sausage Sandwich, and Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Cheese Bread.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- Recipe disclaimer:
- The ingredient list:
- Cooking tools and equipment needed for making crockpot lasagna:
- What I wrote about this recipe in 2012:
- Stress no more (still from 2012):
- Why this recipe works:
- Slow Cooker Lasagna variations and ingredient swaps:
- Does layered lasagna with cheese and sausage freeze well?
- How long does lasagna take to make in the slow cooker?
- Tips and tricks for recipe success:
- Can no-boil lasagna noodles be used for this recipe?
- What to serve alongside cheese and sausage lasagna:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
Recipe disclaimer:
This recipe for crockpot lasagna was originally published in 2012. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, videos, and additional recipe information.
I've since gone in and slightly updated this recipe using browned Italian sausage replacing the frozen meatballs originally used in 2012.
Feel free, however, to use frozen meatballs if you prefer. It will still be an extremely delicious, stress-free layered lasagna dinner, especially without the step of browning 2 pounds of Italian sausage.
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Cooking tools and equipment needed for making crockpot lasagna:
- 7-quart slow cooker (crockpot)
- measuring cups and spoons
- slotted spatula
- large high-sided skillet
- mixing bowls
- wooden spoon or silicone spoon
- box grater (optional)
What I wrote about this recipe in 2012:
Now, don't let me mislead you.
I've always been a fan of the long process of putting together a traditional lasagna...the boiling of the noodles, making my own sauce from scratch, layering the pan with lovely browned Italian sausage, oodles of fresh cheeses, and noodles.
Using just about every pot I own to make a hefty (and heavy) pan of lasagna that would bake to cooked perfection in the oven.
Then I would obsess over how it would look when plated. Did it cool long enough to serve it into a perfect little square of cheesy, noodly goodness on the plate?!
Stress no more (still from 2012):
Well, I got over it.
Using the simplest ingredients and the same layering method, this lasagna tastes almost as good as the lasagna I slaved over for hours, and, truth be told, my family loves it just as much!
Who cares if it's not in a perfect little square on the plate anyway? The flavor is still there, and weeknight lasagna just got a whole lot easier.
This recipe is for my son Adam. I'm hoping that now he can, and will, make his own crockpot lasagna, and who knows? Maybe some night he'll even invite his mom over for dinner! LOL!
Well, let us take this one step at a time, shall we?
Below is the photo I took of this recipe (the meatball version) from 2012. Not awful, but plenty of room for improvement. Yes?
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Why this recipe works:
We all have those days when there is so much to get done that dinner needs to be easy to throw together and something everyone loves. This Slow Cooker (aka Crockpot) Lasagna is just the ticket for that (or any) kind of day.
Slow Cooker Lasagna variations and ingredient swaps:
Ingredient swaps:
As I stated in the video, if you're opposed to using cottage cheese in your lasagna, simply increase the ricotta to 32 ounces. Easy, peasy.
Browned ground beef, chicken, or even turkey would definitely give this slow cooker lasagna a different flavor profile in place of the Italian sausage. The meat will still need to be fully pre-cooked and seasoned before adding it to the cooker, but you can swap out the protein.
You can also use precooked frozen meatballs and add them to the cooker "as is" since they've already been cooked.
In addition, or as a substitute for the marinara sauce, try a jarred Alfredo sauce if you're so inclined. This addition will add additional richness if you're in the mood for a really decadent lasagna.
Variations:
- sliced mushrooms
- spinach (if frozen, thawed, and squeezed dry)
- roasted red pepper slices
- diced green bell peppers
- thinly sliced eggplant
- shredded zucchini, squeezed dry
Does layered lasagna with cheese and sausage freeze well?
You Bet!!
If you're concerned that this recipe makes too much lasagna, don't be. It freezes like a dream (for up to 3 months), and tastes even better once it's thawed and reheated.
How long does lasagna take to make in the slow cooker?
As written, for a 7-quart slow cooker, this layered slow cooker lasagna takes approximately 4 hours, covered, on low power.
If you'd like dinner sooner, turn the cooker to high, cover, and cook for 2 hours.
Tips and tricks for recipe success:
- Preheat the cooker while browning the sausage.
- Spray the inside of the cooker with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Start the layering process by spreading a half cup of marinara over the bottom of the crock.
- Add the layers of each ingredient evenly throughout the slow cooker.
- Lightly salt and pepper after each layer of uncooked, broken pasta.
- After using all the sauce in the jar, add ½ cup of water and shake. Pour the contents around the sides of the cooker to add moisture.
- End the layering process with mozzarella and Parmesan for a pretty presentation.
- Remove the lid from the cooker 30 minutes before serving to help the cheese brown.
- Allow the lasagna to cool for 15 minutes before plating.
Can no-boil lasagna noodles be used for this recipe?
To be honest, I've not tried it, but I don't recommend it for this recipe.
If you decide to give it a go, please come back and let me know how it worked for you.
What to serve alongside cheese and sausage lasagna:
A Caprese Salad with Zucchini, Prosciutto, and Burrata Salad isn't your typical (or traditional) Caprese salad; it's WAY better, thanks to the grilled zucchini, onions, and all the extra special touches!
Who wouldn't enjoy the flavor of light-as-air Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins? These are easy to make and absolutely delicious. You're going to love them!!
Lemon Ricotta Cake with Blueberries is an easy cake to make. It has a creamy texture, a light lemony flavor, and it takes advantage of seasonal fresh blueberries.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
Cheese and Sausage Slow Cooker Lasagna
Equipment
- box grater optional
Ingredients
- 1 box (16 ounces) dry lasagna noodles you won't use all of it
- 1 jar (32 ounces) marinara sauce your favorite sauce
- 1 (16 ounce) container of ricotta cheese
- 1 (16 ounce) container of cottage cheese, optional (or use 32 ounces of ricotta)
- 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage deeply browned and crumbled
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano lightly crushed, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried basil lightly crushed, divided
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder or to taste
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a 7-quart slow cooker with olive oil spray. Set the temperature to low. Set aside.
- Deeply brown the Italian sausage with 1 teaspoon (each) crushed basil and oregano in a large, deep skillet over medium/high heat. As the meat browns, additionally season it with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon (each) kosher salt and pepper. When browned, remove from heat.
- Add approximately ½ cup of sauce to the bottom of the prepared slow cooker.
- Randomly break up about 5-6 dry lasagna noodles and layer them as evenly as possible over the sauce.
- Add half of the cooked and crumbled Italian sausage evenly over the pasta.
- Add a light sprinkling of salt and pepper over the meat to season the pasta.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta and cottage cheese (if using) along with ½ teaspoon each dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Randomly dollop half of the cheese mixture over the sausage layer.
- Pour half of the remaining sauce evenly over the ricotta mixture, and evenly layer 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Continue layering the remaining ingredients, broken lasagna, browned sausage, salt, and pepper, ricotta mixture, and sauce. Add approximately ½ cup of water to the empty jar of sauce, then shake well to get every last bit of sauce from the jar. Pour the water and sauce mixture around the sides of the slow cooker so the extra moisture will help cook the pasta.
- Top the lasagna with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.Sprinkle the top of the lasagna lightly with basil and oregano (optional).
- Cover the cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on low. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, uncover the cooker to help the cheese brown.
- Cool slightly before spooning and serving. Enjoy!!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making, serving, and of course, eating this delicious cheese and sausage lasagna designed to be cooked in a slow cooker as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Paula says
We love lasagna around here and I'm loving your crock-pot method Renee.
I hope your Adam enjoyed this *letter* to him. If he starts making this at his own apartment he's going to have people knocking at his door looking for an invite to dinner 🙂