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.
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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 Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna Recipe 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.
And if you’re craving this but want to make it easier? Try this Low-Carb 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.
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Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna
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!
Gabriela says
I made them again! This time I used ricotta with greek feta cheese parmezana and motsarella ..it was delicious!you should try it!
Olivia says
Mmm… Sounds delicious!
Genna says
This definitely turned into a soup, like the other reviewers said. I didn’t read the comments until after and was very disappointed. I wouldn’t recommend this. ):
Mary says
I made this last night. I put zucchini slices on a sheet in the oven for a bit. Then Cooked the lasagna for few hours in crock pot, then took lid off for another hour or so. I cut a small piece off one end of the lasagna in the crock pot, mine is oval, then just propped it up and tilted it on its side so the liquid would run to that side. I ladled it out as it collected. Just kept it on its side for a while. It was awesome. My husband even loved it!
Olivia says
So happy you like it 😉
Brendan says
How long and what temp did you cook the zucchini at
Jessica says
Just made this recipe today and YUM!! Even my kids ate it without fussing (it’s a miracle!!). Thanks for the great recipe!
Olivia says
Wow so happy to hear your kids like it 😉
Rachael says
I make this recipe ALL the time. It’s one of my favorites 🙂 I do dry the zucchinis with salt and it comes out just like from the oven. Though I think zucchini lasagna soup sounds kind of delicious, so I’m not sure what people are sooo upset about 😉 Thanks for sharing this great recipe, Olivia!
Olivia says
You are very welcome, Rachael. I really appreciate you comment. Yes if you dry the zucchinis with salt, it will comes out just like from the oven 😉
Trish says
Epic fail. Total soup. Will not make a second attempt. Would not recommend.
Olivia says
Sad to hear that. Did you follow exactly the recipe instructions?
Michelle Pollard says
I made this recipe in the oven, I used a pretty hearty marinara sauce and went easy on the ricotta, baked at 350 for one hour it was delicious, not soupy at all! Next time I will pre-bake the zucchini because I plan to use the crockpot when I make it again. I had to opt for the oven because I started it too late in the day! My husband and son, who are quite the food traditionalists loved it!
Olivia says
That’s so awesome to hear that. Happy to know your whole family enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback 😉
Ellen Holley says
I have not made this yet in a crock pot which I am doing tonight for an office potluck, I have made it many times in the oven and find putting the zucchini on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in the oven at 400 for 10 minutes then placing on paper towels layered in a baking dish with weights on top until it cools really pulls to water out of the zucchini. I would be afraid the salted zucchini would be too salty unless it was rinsed which would add more moisture.
Olivia says
This is a good idea too, Ellen. Thanks for this tip 😉
Robert says
Ok so my wife and I are so excited to try this. One question, do we need to cut fresh spinach or can we use thawed frozen spinach? Thanks!!
Olivia says
you can use both 😉
Joella says
I just made this recipe over the weekend and it came out great! My guests were so impressed that 1) lasagna can be made in a crockpot and that 2) I didn’t use any pasta! I did grill the zucchini first as suggested. I used a combo of yellow squash and zucchini. The yellow squash definitely had a higher water content than the green zucchini therefore I mixed and matched btwn each layer for an even consistency. Oh and I also sprinkled a little Italian seasoning in the ricotta mixture for more flavor. Thank you!
Olivia says
Your comment made me so happy. I’m very glad you and your guests enjoyed this recipe. It’s definitely one of our favourite recipes for dinner.