This crockpot lasagna casserole is cheesy and packed with all the flavors of traditional lasagna but easier to make! Great slow cooker dinner casserole.
I love my slow cooker and Instant Pot! They just make my life easier and quicker in the kitchen and me the ability to work full time and still put a hot meal on the table for the 5 of us just about every night (ok we do have “do whatever Fridays” but you know what I mean). I have made a lot of things over the years but last night I decided to make what we are calling, crockpot lasagna casserole. We decided on that name because it really does taste like traditional lasagna but SO much easier to make and eat because the noodles are bite size but the flavors remain the same. The only thing I didn’t include was the ricotta cheese but you could easily add a spoonful when you add in the mozzarella and it would be great that way too! It’s now one of our favorite pasta crockpot recipes. (affiliate links present)
Crockpot goulash you might want to call it too but not as soupy as that so casserole fits the bill better in my eyes. Any way you call it we all loved it and it literally cost under $10 to make and feed all of us PLUS there was enough for me to eat the next day for lunch, bonus!!
This is what you’ll need to make this easy crockpot lasagna casserole recipe
- I like my large 8 qt. crockpot for this one so it has lots of room to bubble up
- You can use any small noodles but we like these the best
- 1 jar of spaghetti sauce (I usually use this one)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ricotta
- 1 packet of taco seasoning (yes, it works great)
- Ground beef (can omit but adds a great taste)
- Diced tomatoes (I like the petite version)
If you like a wetter consistency just add more spaghetti sauce to this lasagna casserole, it is very versatile depending on your preference. If you are looking for other other easy slow cooker pasta recipes we have a few more you should try once you give this one a whirl, I will list them below. If you’d like to make a lasagna casserole in the oven you can do that too, or if you are in a real hurry you can make this same recipe in your Instant Pot using the instructions in our pressure cooker lasagna casserole recipe.
- 1 onion
- 1 lb ground beef (could use sausage instead)
- 12 oz noodles (shell or bow tie noodles)
- 28 oz spaghetti sauce (32 oz if you want it soupier and more like goulash)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 c mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 c ricotta cheese (optional)
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Brown ground beef and diced onion in a pan, then add to your crockpot.
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Pour can of spaghetti sauce and can of diced tomatoes on top of meat.
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Sprinkle taco seasoning on top, stir well.
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Set crockpot to high and cook for 3 hours, or low and cook for 5-6 hours.
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Lift lid when done cooking and add your uncooked noodles and 1 cup of cheese, (and ricotta if you choose to add it) stir well.
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Sprinkle other 1/2 c. of cheese on top and put lid back on.
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Set to high for 30 minutes.
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Serve!
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I made this for my husband once with beef and once with chicken and he loved it both ways. I want to try it again possibly with substitutions. Can I substitute cottage cheese for the ricotta for a lower calorie option? Also, what about ground turkey? Do I need to cook it before putting it in the crockpot?
Do you cook the meat?
Can you make this without the tomatoes? If you leave them out, do you recommend adding more sauce for the moisture?
I always make a recipe as stated the first time. It is a good casserole, however, next time I will not use taco seasoning but rather some Italian seasoning and a bit of red pepper flakes for zip. I used Italian sausage which was just right. I will definitely make this again. The taco seasoning left a bit of an after taste.
Anyone make this without the meat? Iβm going to do it but if you donβt add meat do you still add taco seasoning? Thanks!
I probably would just for the flavor, could add just half the packet.
If I don’t use the diced tomatoes, do I still need to cook it on high for 3 hours? Thanks!
I was a bit skeptical with the taco seasoning, but oh my! It was delicious!
Noodles did take longer to cook though, but still great!
How big is the can of tomatoes?
The regular 14-15 oz. size.
do you have to cook the ground beef first?
Yes
Can you freeze this casserole?
I haven’t tried that yet.
Taco seasoning in a lasagna casserole? I’d think italian seasoning would be a better choice.
Taco works amazingly well.
I loved it but my noodles took longer:)
Glad you loved it! May take longer if you like them softer, personal preference.
Do you drain the can of tomatoes?
No I didn’t.
If I’m going to make half the recipe, should I change the cooking times?
Thanks! I’m excited to make and eat this! Sounds yummy
I would probably stick to it except maybe check the noodles earlier since there won’t be as many and may cook a bit quicker. π
Do the noodles really only take 30 min to cook??
Is there a way to use this recipe but bake in the oven to shorten the time ?
Yes! Here it is: https://temeculablogs.com/easy-lasagna-casserole/
I do something similar! It’s so good and easy to make γ
I love this! So simple! Genius!