This Spinach Ricotta Slow Cooker Lasagna is as easy as it gets — no cooking meat or lasagna noodles beforehand! Just layer everything in the crockpot and let it cook. Perfectly cheesy and loaded with spinach!
SO. Slow Cooker Lasagna?!?
That’s right, friends.
I’m not actually sure why I’ve never tried a slow cooker lasagna before today. As I’ve mentioned before, once I learned how to cook pasta in the slow cooker, my life was forever changed. This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Chili Mac, and this Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper are proof.
And interestingly enough, this is my second slow cooker pasta recipe this week. I posted this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti on Monday for National Pasta Day!
This recipe is from my friend Samantha’s new cookbook, Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers. I was so excited to get this cookbook and share it with you guys! It’s full of two of my favorite things: (1) Real Food and (2) slow cooker recipes!
In this crazy time of year, I think you can agree we all need more of them!
I was so happy with how this lasagna worked out! Not to mention the house smells amazing while it’s cooking.
I love having a few 3-4 hour slow cooker recipes on hand for those days when you’re going to be out of the house just before dinner time for one occasion or another, and you want to come back and have it all ready for you. It’s perfect for weekends with the family!
You can grab a copy of Samantha’s book over on Amazon or anywhere books are sold 🙂
Spinach Ricotta Slow Cooker Lasagna
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 30 oz frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained well (about 550g)
- 15 oz container ricotta cheese (I use light) 425g
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 3/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 48 oz jars tomato pasta sauce (about 6 cups) 1360g
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles not oven-ready
- 4 cups shredded Mozarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, egg, parsley and ¾ cup Parmesan cheese.
- In another large bowl, combine the pasta sauce, water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
- Lightly grease a 6 quart slow cooker. Spoon ½ cup tomato sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread into a thin layer.
- Place 3 lasagna noodles in the bottom, breaking to fit if necessary. Spread ¼ of the ricotta mixture over noodles, and top with ¼ of the sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Repeat layers 3 times, starting with the noodles and ending with the cheese. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 3.5-4 hours until noodles are tender but not overcooked. Turn off the slow cooker and let lasagna set for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
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Lauren says
This was so delish, but I made one modification – 30 ounces was way too much spinach! I only had two 12 ounce bags of frozen spinach, so I really only used 24 and I still thought that was too much. Next time, I will take it down to just one 12 ounce bag of frozen chopped spinach.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Lauren! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for your review!
Tyler says
This was my first try at any lasagna and wow- was it easy to make! This recipe is amazing! My whole family really enjoyed it. Very thick, cheesy and flavourful. I followed the recipe to the letter, with the exception of using regular ricotta as opposed to light. Mine was ready in 3 hours on low and 30 min to set. ou won’t be disappointed!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Tyler! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Jen says
Anybody else doing this might want to make frozen ready for the crockpot meals to include with their gift, or even as a gift. Made a bunch of meals for my kids when they had a baby, included directions written on freezerbag ( di that before filling). They loved them. They stacked them in freezer and pulled them out for the busy days.
lynn says
Hello! I’m a little late to this lasagna party but I was wondering, why can’t we use oven-ready sheets? It’s what I have handy but it’s too hot where I am to turn on the oven right now, so I’m hoping this recipe is the answer. Thanks in advance!
Ashley Fehr says
I think you definitely could but I likely wouldn’t cook it as long and you might not need as much moisture.
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I had slow cooker lasagna for dinner tonight! It is so good, and this recipe looks both delicious AND easy! I’ll have to try it next time. 🙂
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
I STILL have yet to try crockpot lasagna but this seriously looks so good I don’t even know what’s stopping me!! Also, GIRL!! How do you get lasagna to look so dang pretty in your pictures??
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
This lasagna looks amazing, Ashley! Thank you so much for sharing my cookbook and this recipe from it. And I’m totally with you…real food and slow cookers for the win! 😉
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I saw the title of this and I immediately thought Slow Cooker LASAGNA?! And then I read your first line and I had to laugh. Clearly you are a mind reader. 😉 I am freaking out over how genius this is Ashley!! Seriously, where do you come up with all these beyond fabulous ideas?! I am TOTALLY making this next week for dinner! And if Boy is lucky I will share. Lol. Pinned! Cheers!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
Yummy! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of slowcooker lasagna before either! I love how creamy it looks!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Another winner! I always add spinach to my lasagna, not necessarily for the added veg but because I just plain like it! I think I’m going to get my son a slow cooker for Christmas, along with a compilation of recipes. He likes to cook, but he is a busy guy and I know some nights he just isn’t up for cooking.
Ashley Fehr says
The slow cooker is so perfect for those nights! I rarely add spinach to my lasagna, but I’m definitely going to start now! Thanks Dorothy!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
OMG I love magic of slow cooker 😛 and this lasagna sounds so good!! I might make it for the weekend!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ami!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
Say no more… you had me at slow-cooker! You also had me at lasagna though – I’m an Italian food fanatic, so I can never have enough slow-cooker recipes or Italian recipes. Also taking note of your Ziti recipe! You are nailing it with awesome dinners this week, lady!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! Don’t worry, next week is dessert after dessert after dessert. Lol.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
You are on a roll with slow cooker dishes! I’ve made lasagna in the slow cooker once, years ago, and I need to do it again! Love this spinach ricotta version…my kind of comfort food!