Potluck Saturday: Crockpot Lasagna

The DHM is hosting a new link-up of favorite potluck recipes. One of my favorites is an internet recipe for Crockpot Lasagna. I have adapted it a little, we use sausage in place of the ground beef and I think I’ve been using more ricotta. This is also good as a meal for when you’re out of the house during the day and need something to come home to. It says it feeds 4-6, but those are *very* generous portions, I know my children are small and only eat so much, but the 5 of us can’t really even eat 1/2 of it in a meal. I also have an oval shaped crock pot, so just tear the pieces to fit.

A hint for those who have far to drive (and we only have half an hour, but it is enough) is to purchase a cigarette lighter adapter/power inverter for your car (I’ve found them less expensively at Target or Radio Shack).  Anyway, you can convert your vehicles power to run your crockpot (to cook or keep warm).  Just be sure you have something keeping the lid on and something to put between the crockpot  (like a thick towel) and the passenger’s feet!

Crock Pot Lasagna Recipe

Ingredients
1 lb ground meat (beef or sausage or other as desired)
1 large onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar tomato spaghetti sauce – choose your favorite flavor
8 oz fresh lasagna sheets (no boil – found in cold section)
1lb mozzarella cheese – grated/shredded
1lb ricotta cheese
2 oz parmesan cheese – grated/shredded
¼ cup milk
1 egg – lightly beaten
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper
Optional
other favorite herbs
mushrooms – sliced and added at end of frying meat

Method
Fry the beef, onion and garlic in a frying pan, using a tiny amount of oil.

Fry until slightly browned. And pour off any excess oil. Add tomato sauce and heat through.

Meanwhile, gently combine the ricotta, milk and egg.

Then mix in the mozzarella and parmesan. Retaining about 1 tbls of parmesan for later.

Now we are ready to construct it in the crock pot. We found there was no need to grease the pot, but if you must – do it now.

Using a large serving spoon or ladle, place about ¼ of the meat mixture in the crock pot – spread evenly.

Top this with a layer of lasagna sheets, cut to size. (See the notes below)

Top this with 1/3 of the cheese mixture.

Repeat steps the last three steps once more. You should now have cheese mixture on top.

Now add meat, lasagna, meat and then finish with cheese.

Sprinkle the retained parmesan on top.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3.

Notes

While not critical the layers should be – meat, pasta, cheese, meat, pasta, cheese, meat, pasta, meat, cheese.