The Kitchen Appliance That Makes Extra-Easy, Set-It-And-Forget-It Lasagna

Lasagna is and will always be an all-time classic comfort meal, but it can be a bit of a time-consuming dish to make. From boiling the pasta and prepping the sauce to monitoring the entire dish while it cooks, a lot goes into making this recipe delicious. For those who are looking for a more hands-free yet tasty way to make lasagna though, a slow cooker will be your best friend. Slow cookers are great for more recipes than you may think, and they're the perfect tool for making a low-maintenance lasagna. With less prep time and even less of a cleanup afterward, you won't want to make this pasta dish any other way.

The greatest convenience of a slow cooker is that you can leave your food to cook practically unattended. However, it still offers the delectable flavor of a typical recipe, and even gives you a saucier result. Besides browning the ground beef mixture in a separate skillet beforehand, all other ingredients will cook together nicely in the slow cooker. Simply layer the meat sauce, noodles, and cheese in the slow cooker and allow it to cook on low for four to six hours. You'll be left with a moist and cheesy lasagna that's cooked to perfection.

A slow cooker may save you some hassle in the kitchen, but there are still important things to remember when making your lasagna this way. While you can leave a slow cooker unattended in the house, it's still wise to check on your pasta once about halfway through just to make sure it's cooking properly. Layering unevenly is a common lasagna mistake everyone makes, and this also applies to a slow cooker version. Make sure the layers are even for a good distribution of flavor and ingredients. Shredding your own cheese and making your own sauce is also suggested for a better homemade taste and cheesier result. If you're looking to add vegetables to your recipe, make sure to roast them slightly beforehand to avoid making the dish soggy in the slow cooker. Finally, it's recommended to use a 6-quart slow cooker at the very least to fit all your ingredients and layers properly. 

While there are ways to save time on your lasagna recipe, nothing beats the efficiency of a slow cooker. This recipe is also great for prepping or assembling ahead of time and adding to your cooker the next day for even less hassle. If you somehow have leftovers, your lasagna should last in the refrigerator for about five days. The slow cooker is truly the way to go.