Slow Cooker Lasagna

Feed a crowd with this flavor-packed lasagna, which cooks to bubbling perfection in a slow cooker. If you’re lucky, you’ll have leftovers to enjoy for lunch the next day.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs. olive oil 
• 2 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed  
• 2 jars (each 24 oz.) tomato sauce 
• 2 cups water 
• 1 lb. whole-milk ricotta cheese 
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 
• 18 ruffle-edged lasagna noodles (not no-boil noodles) 
• 1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated 
• 2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely grated  
• Thinly sliced fresh basil for garnish 

Directions:

In the stovetop-safe insert of slow cooker over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and water and bring to a simmer. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl.

In another bowl, stir together the ricotta, parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of the slow-cooker insert. Cover the sauce with a single layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (about 3), breaking the noodles as needed to fit. Spread about 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with about 2 cups of the sauce, then sprinkle with about 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Repeat the layering 4 more times, starting with the noodles.

Transfer the insert to the slow-cooker base, cover and cook on low according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the noodles are tender and cooked through, about 4 hours.

Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to broil.

Transfer the slow-cooker insert to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil and serve immediately. Serves 12.