🍲 Crockpot Lasagna 🧀

📣 Quick, Delicious Meals Straight from Your Crockpot! Perfect for Busy Weeknights or Lazy Weekend Dinners! 📣

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️

- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
- 12-15 lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
   - Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
   - Mix in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer for about 5-10 minutes, then set aside.

2. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
   - In a separate bowl, blend the ricotta cheese with the egg until smooth.

3. Assemble the Lasagna:
   - Coat the bottom of the crockpot with a layer of meat sauce.
   - Arrange a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them as necessary to fit.
   - Spread a generous layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
   - Repeat the layering process, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

4. Cook the Lasagna:
   - Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the noodles are tender and the cheeses are melted and bubbly.

5. Serve:
   - Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if using.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎

- Calories: Approximately 450 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Proteins: 28g
- Fats: 22g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡

- For a healthier twist, try using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- To prevent the noodles from sticking, ensure they are entirely covered with sauce when layering.
- If you like a crusty top layer, remove the crockpot lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

⏳ Preparation time 🕰️

- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 4-6 hours
- Serving: 6-8 servings