Mangia! Make the Best Slow-Cooker Lasagna ... Ever

The best slow cooker dinner!
The best slow cooker dinner!

When the school year hits, we all want good food fast. Lasagna is one of those complete meals that's usually a hit with everyone. Its only flaw is that it can take so long to prepare. Enter your slow-cooker. This recipe requires just 20 minutes to get this lasagna on its way to pleasing everyone at the table.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
2 jars (each 24 oz.) spaghetti sauce (homemade or store-bought)
2 cups water
1 lb. whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
18 ruffle-edged lasagna noodles (not no-boil noodles)
1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated

Related: 21 delicious pastas you can claim as secret family recipes

Directions
1. Brown ground beef on medium heat (about 10-12 minutes). Add your favorite spaghetti sauce (store bought or homemade) add water and bring to a simmer. Set aside on low heat stirring occasionally.

2. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, parsley, salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

3. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or use a disposable bag. Spread a layer of sauce at the bottom of the slow cooker. Cover the sauce with a single layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (3), breaking the noodles to make them fit. Spread about 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Now top that with two cups of meat/sauce (that is simmering on the stove), then sprinkle with about 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the parmigiano-reggiano. Now repeat this process four more times.

4. Cover and cook in your slow cooker on low for about four hours. The noodles should be soft and cooked through. You may want to add a sprinkling of the parmigiano-reggiano before serving.

- By Cindy Hopper

For 30 slow-cooker recipes that do the hard work for you, visit Spoonful!

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