How to Make {Slow Cooker Lasagna}

Posted: October 23, 2012

As mentioned in yesterday's confessional (aka. freak out post), I described feeling unsatisfied with the photography of today's recipe. While that feeling remains, the yumminess factor of this meal will hopefully shine above all else. Oh yeah, and the simplicity.  Dear Hubby said this was the best lasagna he'd ever had...and it was filled with zucchini, 4 cups of kale, ground turkey instead of beef, and lighter cottage cheese instead of the regular ricotta.  Best.He's.Ever.Had.

Today's Tutorial / Recipe:

How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna

The featured flavor was McCormick's new Sweet Basil Bruschetta MIx:

This lasagna was moist and delicious, structurally sound, and perfect as leftovers as well.  I was a bit skeptical that uncooked lasagna noodles would get soft enough, but they were perfect!  I really couldn't be happier with how it turned out.  Except the photos :)

Please try it despite my lackluster photography.  And I promise I'll make it again soon to make the outside shine as much as the recipe itself.

**UPDATE**

I was looking at some house pics on my SLR and realized I'd taken one pic of the lasagna sauce mixture!  ONE high resolution photo of this yummy lasagna - yay!!  I'm soooooooooo excited!!! #imadork

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Description

Slow Cooker Lasagna | No Sugar Sweet Life

Ingredients

1 pound
Ground Turkey
1 package
McCormick's Basil Bruschetta Mix
1  
Zucchini
4 cups
Kale
6 cloves
Roasted Garlic (or 2 Tbsp minced)
24 ounces
Cottage Cheese (I used 2%)
1⁄2 pound
Lasagna Noodles
1  
Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
1  
Jar of Vodka Spaghetti Sauce (it's lighter/creamier than regular sauce)
1⁄2 cup
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown Turkey meat in a pan, slowly stirring in the McCormick's basil bruschetta mix.
  2. Chop the kale, removing most of the stems.
  3. Once meat is cooked, remove it from pan into large mixing bowl. 
  4. Saute the kale for a few minutes to get it soft, then add to mixing bowl.
  5. Peel and dice the zucchini, then add to mixing bowl.
  6. Add sauces.
  7. In a separate bowl, mix garlic and cottage cheese.
  8. Use a non-stick spray in your slow cooker, then start layering.
  9. Sauce mixture, dry noodles, cottage cheese.  Repeat.  It made about 3 iterations before running out of stuff. 
  10. Cook in the slow cooker for 4 hours on high.
  11. Add cheese in the last 10 minutes, and cook until melted.
  12. Oh.my.YUM!!!!!!!!

Yields 8 Servings

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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous - October 23, 2012 - 9:38am

I was wondering about the qt. size of the slow cooker. And should it be square or can a round one be used.

Submitted by kelly - October 23, 2012 - 9:42am

I use a Rival 6 quart slow cooker, that is oval. It fit 3 lasagna noodles in each layer...one straight across the middle, and the two on the outside broken in half and angled. Here's an amazon link to the slow cooker I use: http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVP600-S-6-Quart-Smart-Pot-Stainless/...
Submitted by mamawi - October 23, 2012 - 10:17am

I am concerned that I might not be able to find the seasoning packet you used in my limited small town grocery store. Any suggestions for spice/seasoning substitutions and amounts?

Submitted by kelly - October 23, 2012 - 10:34am

1.5 Tbsp basil, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp dried onion, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
Submitted by JoAnna @ JoAnna Thinks - October 23, 2012 - 10:27am

Oh my, this looks insanely good. I think I should make this on Sunday. Yum, yum, yum!!! I also love that you incorporate kale into everything you can. My goal in life is to be as healthy as you and Babycakes are!

Submitted by JoAnna @ JoAnna Thinks - October 23, 2012 - 10:29am

And for what it's worth, I think that ooey-gooey picture is pretty damn good! Makes me want to try it :)

Submitted by kelly - October 24, 2012 - 1:28pm

You're so sweet. Thanks for the nice comment... and yes, I totally try to incorporate kale into tons of things b/c it's so darn healthy for us!! I'm sure I'll get on a new "kick" at some point, but for now it's kale, kale, kale!!!!
Submitted by Heather @ Better With Veggies - October 23, 2012 - 10:50am

I have a similar feeling about next week's MMAZ recipe. The taste is great, but I wish I could go back and make it again to take better photos. They can't all be beautiful!

Submitted by Corrie Kreisel - October 23, 2012 - 11:04am

I still think it looks amazing! I always experiment with veggies in lasagna, but have a hard time finding the right balance. This looks great!

Submitted by Misty Baker - October 23, 2012 - 11:19am

Did you use no-boil noodles?

Submitted by kelly - October 23, 2012 - 11:22am

Nope - I just used regular ol' lasagna noodles - Barilla Lasagne.
Submitted by Deb - October 23, 2012 - 11:59am

I just "pinned" this recipe and can't wait to try it. It looks and sound delicious!

Submitted by Jess B - October 23, 2012 - 1:44pm

I know you're not happy with the pics but I can't wait to try the recipe! It sounds delish! I also love the pic of the handwritten recipe...I think it adds a homey quality to the post :) Not everything has to be button-up and professional looking. I enjoy that you took the time to share something you think others would enjoy. Don't beat yourself up. The fact that you're even able to get posts out right now is impressive enough!

Submitted by Rebekah - October 23, 2012 - 6:04pm

I had 2 containers of cottage cheese that were beyond their expiry date, but still tasted ok, so this was a perfect way to use them up! I had received kale in my veggie delivery yesterday, had some organic ground beef in the freezer and only had to pick up some noodles and a little more cottage cheese to make this for dinner tonight! Working from home this afternoon has been difficult to not open the pot and peek or get an extra yummy whiff. I also had some mushrooms that needed to be used, so diced them up and added them in and grabbed some fresh basil off the plant to add to the sauce. Am excited for dinner! And lunch tomorrow :)

Submitted by Calee Himes - October 23, 2012 - 10:13pm

thanks lady! I'm reading. but I had to say thanks before I forgot. It's late. I'm tired.

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