This lasagna is going to become your favorite lasagna recipe not only because I used zucchini instead of noodles, but also made in the slow cooker. This Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna is also low-carb and gluten-free.
When I found out people actually make lasagna in a slow cooker, I have to confess, I was a little skeptical. I wondered if it would taste the same as oven-baked lasagna or I need to do something different from the traditional lasagna recipe in order to get the same flavor.
I was surprised to know that it is even easier to make than the traditional recipe because you don’t need to boil the noodles before you add them in a slow cooker and the process is the same than if you would make it in the oven. Ladle tomato sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker, layer the noodles (in this case zucchini noodles), then layer the ricotta mixture and mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers again and again until all the ingredients are used.
Slow Cooker Lasagna tastes just like the ones we make in the oven with the difference that you can prepare the lasagna in advance (perhaps after your kids go to the bed or before you leave for work) and you are going to be able to enjoy your day and still have a delicious plate of lasagna for dinner!
Probably the flexibility in the timing is the biggest advantage of making your lasagna in a slow cooker. Would you agree?
That’s why I love slow cooker recipes and why I had shared with you guys my 50 healthy slow cooker recipes a while ago. It is a recipe roundup post loaded with delicious and comforting food for you make this fall/winter season.
Depending on how many layers your lasagna has, you can feed an army with this nutritious meal. If you don’t have a big family, you are going to have loads of leftovers for a family of four. I made this lasagna on Sunday and we brought it to work for lunch for 3 days. And I have to tell you, it tastes even better the next day.
For this recipe, I sliced my zucchinis with my mandolin that I got for Christmas from my mother-in-law 2 years ago. I love it just because it makes PERFECT zucchini slices and also makes your work so much easier. I was looking at my mandolin online and I couldn’t find exactly the same one that I have, but I read good reviews about this one from OXO. Use the mandolin for this Zucchini Lasagna and Vegetable Lasagna Roll-ups as well!
Also, just in case you wonder which slow cooker I used for this recipe, I found it on Amazon as well. I love this one because I’ve never had any problem with it. Some slow cookers cook the food faster than it should or runs very hot. I hope you guys enjoy this recipe and give it a try.
Are you craving more gluten-free lasagna recipes? Try this Eggplant Lasagna, Zucchini Lasagna Skillet or Zucchini Lasagna in the oven. Or if you’re in the mood for a more traditional lasagna, try this Skinny Lasagna Rolls.
As usual, I would like to say thank you for visiting my blog and make my recipes. It means a lot to me. Have a wonderful and bright day.
Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna
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Ingredients
- 15 oz part-skim ricotta
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup spinach chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 4 cups homemade tomato sauce or sugar-free tomato sauce
- 4 medium zucchini sliced 1/8″ thick. (UPDATE: Since some readers are saying that this lasagna become a little soupy I made this lasagna again but this time I grilled the zucchini slices before I put on the slow cooker. It helped to draw out some moisture!
- 16 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, spinach. Stir well and set it aside.
- Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Ladle about 1 cup of homemade tomato sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it well.
- Layer 5 or 6 zucchini slices to cover.
- Place some of the ricotta cheese mixture and top with the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers until all your ingredients are all used up.
- Top the lasagna with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Turn off the slow cooker and let stand for about 1 hours. (UPDATE: Since some readers said the lasagna became a little soupy, I made it again and I let it stand for about 3 HOURS before serving. I found it was great because the liquid absorbed much more – Please, do not forget this step).
- Before serving top with fresh parsley
Tips
- Instead of parmesan, you can try using mozzarella or cheddar.
- The amount of zucchinis you need will depend on the size of them. While larger ones are great, they are a bit more watery compared to smaller zucchinis.
- To store: Keep in mind that zucchini is a watery vegetable so the longer you store it, the more the texture changes (this is why I don’t recommend freezing this). So, try eating this slow cooker zucchini lasagna immediately or only keeping it for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
- To reheat: Reheat the lasagna in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
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More Zucchini Lasagna Recipes!
Barbara Pickett says
Do you make any versions that have meat in them?
Olivia says
I’m actually recipe testing a version with meat. Soon it’ll be on the blog 😉
Ashley M says
Made this this other night, and it was an instant hit! Actually modified it with a semi-homemade meat sauce, and added extra mozzarella and Parmesan to the cheese layers. Did what you said and let it sit for almost 3 hours (until my hubby couldn’t wait anymore! lol!), and it was great! He said to please add it to our “regular” menu items! 🙂
Olivia says
Awesome!!
Kristie says
My boyfriendand I have been trying to eat better and with this heat, we are avoiding turning on the oven like the plague. I saw this after making zoodles when I made the spaghetti sauce earlier in the week. We had half a pot of meat sauce left and thought I’d give it a shot since it used leftovers and didn’t involve the stove at all! We put our brains together about the liquid issue. We sliced the zucchini with the mandolin, then layed them out on a drying rack on a sheet pan (lined with foil… Cuz I hate scrubbing the metal pans). I put the 2 trays of zucchini in a preheated 200 degree convection oven. After 15 minutes, I shut the oven off and left the slices in the oven with the convection fan going for about an hour. At that point, they felt sort of rubbery but did resemble the feel of a cooked lasagna noodle to me. We layered up the lasagna and followed your cooking instructions… I think only cutting the cook time by about 25-30 minutes. It was delicious! I was very very happy with it and I will be making this again!
Its a low carb, yummy reward meal.
Olivia says
Wow I’m so happy to hear that. So glad all worked out well and you both had a very nice low-carb meal. Thanks for stopping by 😉
Christina says
I made this tonight it was incredible. My husband gobbled it down like he was starving. You have to let it cool for at least a half hour before you cut into it. Thank you for the recipe. I will be making this again soon.
Olivia says
Awesome! I’m so thrilled to know you and your husband enjoyed this lasagna! My husband loves it too 😉
Lauren says
Hi
If i did this in the oven, do you think it’d be less watery? And how long would you say to cook for?
Thanks!
Olivia says
You can follow this recipe HERE. It’s the same one but made in the oven. Thanks
John Hutchinson says
I did the can of hunts pasta sauce with the garlic and some sausage and I also layers fresh spinach leaves and let me say this was east and fantastic. It made meals for three days and for someone on the go and always working this was fabulous. Thank you Olivia
Olivia says
You’re so so so welcome, John!
Sherry says
Would it be ok if you kept it on warm for 3 hours?
Olivia says
Better not to avoid a soggy lasagna.