Crockpot Lasagna

I have a love-hate relationship with my crockpot.  I love the concept.......but I sometimes hate the way meals turn out.  Maybe I'm just really picky but I've tried my fair share of recipes that created so-so meals.  Anyone else feel that sometimes it tastes really crockpoty?  Is that even a word?

I do have a few tried and true recipes that I will make in the crockpot...and the crockpot lasagna is always a family favorite.  It's super easy to make and it freezes well if you have leftovers.  That's a win-win in my book!

You will need:

1 pound ground mild Italian sausage (or use hot if you want it to have a kick)

1 yellow onion, chopped

45 oz tomato sauce

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

1-3/4 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

16 lasagna noodles, uncooked (can use wheat or regular)

 Pour all 3 cheeses together in a mixing bowl.  I let it sit for a few minutes (before stirring) while I start the other steps.  I find it mixes better when it's not straight out of the refrigerator.

 In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and sausage is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes.  Drain.

Stir in tomato sauce, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning and salt/pepper.

 Spoon one-forth of the meat mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker.

 Top with part of the noodles.

 Now you can mix all the cheeses together.  Then, I use my spatula to divide the cheese mixture into 2 equal parts.  Spread half of the cheese and then another one-fourth meat mixture.  Top with more noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and one-fourth of meat mixture.  Top with remaining noodles and remaining sausage mixture.

 A little trick I discovered is if I dip my spatula into the hot meat mixture and then spread the cheese.....the cheese spreads much easier.

 When transferring the meat mixture, I use a measuring cup to easily pour into the crockpot and then use the bottom as the "spreader."

 Cover and cook on low until noodles are tender, 4-6 hours.  * Cooking time will vary depending on your crockpot

Here are the basic steps again:

* brown meat and onion

*  add tomato sauce and dry spices

* mix 3 cheeses together and divide into 2 equal parts

* Spoon 1/4 of meat mixture into bottom of crockpot

*  Top with noodles

*  Spread half of cheese mixture

*  1/4 meat mixture

*  More noodles

*  Remaining cheese mixture

*  1/4 meat mixture

* More noodles

*  Remaining meat mixture

Serve with homemade garlic knots or easy french bread.

Do you have a favorite crockpot meal that I should try?