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Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe Easy Comforting Ricotta Italian Sausage Dinner

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A simple and comforting slow cooker lasagna with ricotta and Italian sausage that requires minimal prep and delivers rich, creamy layers perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (full-fat, small-curd preferred)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  4. Spread about ½ cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sticking.
  5. Layer 3 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking to fit if needed.
  6. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
  7. Sprinkle one-third of the browned sausage and sautéed onion-garlic mixture over the ricotta.
  8. Add about ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and spoon about ½ cup marinara sauce over this layer.
  9. Repeat layering two more times, finishing with a layer of noodles topped with sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese.
  10. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, checking at 4 hours for bubbling sauce and tender noodles. Cook an additional 30 minutes if needed.
  11. Turn off the slow cooker and let the lasagna rest covered for 10 minutes before serving.
  12. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use no-boil noodles for best results; regular noodles require pre-cooking and won’t soften properly in the slow cooker. Browning the sausage adds flavor and reduces grease. Avoid cooking on high to prevent mushy noodles. Use a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup. Let lasagna rest 10 minutes before serving to set layers. If sauce dries near the end, spoon extra marinara on top.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker lasagna, ricotta lasagna, Italian sausage lasagna, easy lasagna recipe, no-boil noodles, comfort food, slow cooker dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/slow-cooker-lasagna-recipe-easy-comforting-ricotta-italian-sausage-dinner/