Description
Hearty spinach ricotta slow cooker lasagna brings comfort and convenience to classic Italian cuisine. Layers of rich cheese, tender spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
Vegetable and Herb Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 9 no-boil lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant ricotta blend by thoroughly stirring together ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, chopped spinach, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Create a lasagna foundation in the slow cooker by coating the bottom with a thin layer of marinara sauce.
- Arrange uncooked lasagna noodles across the sauce, carefully breaking pieces to create a complete bottom layer that covers the entire surface.
- Generously spread the prepared ricotta mixture over the noodles, ensuring an even, thick coating.
- Drizzle marinara sauce across the ricotta layer and sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese for extra richness.
- Repeat layering process – noodles, ricotta mixture, marinara, and cheese – until all ingredients are utilized, making sure the final top layer is marinara and mozzarella.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 4-5 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, until noodles become tender and cheese melts completely.
- Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after cooking to help layers settle and become more cohesive.
- Slice and serve, optionally garnishing with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Break lasagna noodles carefully to create even layers without cracking or shattering them completely.
- Drain excess liquid from spinach to prevent watery ricotta mixture and maintain creamy texture.
- Use no-boil lasagna noodles for easier preparation and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding ricotta, provolone, or swap mozzarella for a unique flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 5 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg