Fee from On Being Single asked us to share a favourite crockpot (slow cooker) recipe so here’s ours. Being that we are Italian I usually make all our Italian dishes from scratch. I put off making this dish for years because I thought it sounded horrid. But time and necessity got the better of me…and would you believe the whole family loves it! Including full blooded John!

Crockpot Lasagne

(Family size)

  • 500gms minced meat (beef, kangaroo or other… a combination of veal and lamb is also very nice)
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 800 mls can tomato sauce (we use home made but store bought does fine…even diced tinned tomatoes)
  • 200 mls can tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 375 gm package lasagna sheets
  • 375gm container Ricotta or cottage cheese (I use a Bechamel sauce if need be)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorporated. Cook until heated through.

In a large bowl mix together the Ricotta or cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the crock pot. (I lightly butter bottom of Crockpot and add a spoonful of the meat mix). Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna sheets. Break to fit sheets into crock pot.

Top sheets with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, sheets, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.

Cover and cook on low heat in crock pot for 6 to 8 hours.

Serve with a tossed green salad and crusty bread.

I also like to finish the top off with extra Mozzarella & Ricotta (I’m a cheese nut). this is a good recipe for children to make and to experiment with.

I heard of this Crockpot Lasagne and scoffed at it. There is no way I would ever do that, I said. I would sometimes prepare the lasagne ahead of time but even if I pre-baked it I’d still have to put it in the oven for 40 mins once we got home from shopping meaning that our hungry bellies were still a good 45 minutes away from being satiated.

So I tried the Crockpot Lasagne. I told my family what it was. I made no bones about the Australianising of it. I told them it was either this for tea or our all-too-often “CatchWhatYaCan” meal. They didn’t complain. In fact, everyone enjoyed it. It isn’t authentic…but it’s still very filling and very nice and very easy. Anyone can prepare it  in the morning, put it on and as soon as we get home we can eat! This is why it is quicker than a traditional lasagne.