HEARTY SLOW-COOKER LASAGNA

Hearty Slow-Cooker Lasagna image

Lasagna is a popular holiday meal, but it's hard to find time to put it together. This slow cooker version will allow you to enjoy time with your family and still put an elegant dinner on the table. -Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 4h25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
2 cartons (15 ounces each) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 large eggs
1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves, chopped
12 no-cook lasagna noodles
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Quartered grape tomatoes and additional chopped fresh basil, optional

Steps:

Cut three 25x3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble spokes of a wheel. Place strips on bottom and up sides of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray. , In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook beef over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. drain. Set beef aside. , In same pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, zucchini and carrot; cook and stir until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Stir in beef mixture, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and if desired, crushed red pepper. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, eggs and basil., Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer with 4 noodles, breaking as needed to fit. Top with 1-1/2 cups meat mixture, 1-2/3 cups cheese mixture and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Cook, covered, on low until noodles are tender, 4 hours. Let stand 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with grape tomatoes and additional basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 631 calories, Fat 32g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 199mg cholesterol, Sodium 1074mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 43g protein.