Crock Pot Lasagne

You are going to really enjoy this recipe.  I like to make lasagne this way a lot more than the traditional method.  Please make more or less depending on the size of your family and the size of your crock pot.   The cooking time will have to be altered depending on these changes.  Also, add whatever spices and cheeses you like the best.  I have a strong food sensitivity to garlic, so I’m not able to cook with it. However, I have found that basil, provides the same flavor tone of garlic (sometimes my family thinks there is garlic in a dish---when I have only used fresh basil).  Ground turkey is also delicious in this recipe instead of the ground beef. 

Spinach works well as an extra “secret” ingredient to the meat sauce.

Meat sauce:

1 lb. Ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

½ red bell pepper, chopped

*Brown the ground beef with the onion and  pepper.

Rinse through a colander with very warm water and place in a mixing bowl.

1--680 ml can of Hunt’s tomato sauce

1—540 ml can of Aylmer diced tomatoes

2 Tablespoons sugar

Salt and pepper to taste (I find there is enough salt in this recipe from the cheese and the tomato sauce).

Fresh Basil to taste

Fresh Parsley to taste

*Mix tomato sauce and following and pour into mixing bowl with meat, onion and pepper.  Stir all together.

Cheese Mixture:

In a separate bowl, mix the following together:

Ricotta cheese (250ml or more) according to taste.

Grated Mozzarella cheese (250 ml) according to taste.

Grated Parmesan cheese (not the powdered kind) 250ml or according to taste.

“No Boil” lasagne noodles.

Directions for Assembly:

Spray crockpot with PAM

Layer Meat mixture---then dry “no-boil” noodles(break them  to better fit the shape of the crock pot)—then cheese mixture

Repeat layers, then top with a final layer of meat mixture if possible.

Cover and cook on low from 3-5 hours or until noodles are tender.*

*The cooking time is only approximate since crock pots vary, and the actual amounts you will end up using may vary.  Usually when cooking with a crock pot, you can leave the house for an extended time and the food won’t burn.   However for this recipe I would recommend being home the first time you try it to allow you to test for doneness periodically.  Then you will know the proper cooking time for sure the next time you make it.