Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna
A rich, layered lasagna with a herby béchamel sauce and tender meat sauce. This italian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 34 minutes pairs ground beef, Italian sausage, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 12 oz lasagna noodles
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, brown 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb Italian sausage, 1 diced onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves over medium-high heat until meat is fully cooked.
- Step 2: Stir in 24 oz tomato sauce, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 hours on low.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix 12 oz lasagna noodles, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, and 1 tsp salt. Set aside.
- Step 4: Layer 1/2 cup meat sauce, 1/2 cup noodle mixture, and repeat until all ingredients are used. Top with remaining Parmesan and cook for 1 hour on low.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 34 minutes (30 min prep + 4 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Infused Slow Cooker Lasagna?
Italian slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.