Crockpot Spinach Lasagna

Lasagna in a crockpot is apparently a controversial topic. WHO KNEW! When I posted about it on my blog's facebook page I was surprised by how evenly divided the comments were. Some people were lasagna purists and felt it needed to be baked, but many were curious and willing to try it. I am pretty willing to try lasagna in any form at least once so I figured what the heck, why not?

My honest verdict? Totally delicious. My son ate this like nothing else and was groaning for more. My husband who doesn't love lasagna liked it too. So the taste was totally spot on and the top even crisped up a tiny bit. However I wouldn't say it was easier than traditional lasagna. You're still layering and everything the same way you would typically, and baking it in the oven is the same amount of work as letting the crockpot go. Either way I'd definitely make it again! Landon's reaction alone makes it worth it.

Thumbs up from the littlest lasagna critic!

Source: Adapted from Eat Live Run

Ingredients:

1 6-8-oz bag baby spinach
1 15-oz container ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
4 cups marinara sauce (or 1-2 jars)**
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
10  lasagna noodles (no boil or regular- I used regular but did NOT boil, it was fine)

**I used a lot of sauce because I was using regular lasagna noodles (not no boil) but if you're using the no boil you'll be fine with 1 jar or about 2-3 cups of sauce.

Directions:

1- Pour enough sauce to cover the bottom of your Crock Pot. Lay two lasagna noodles flat side-by-side at the bottom of the pot. If you like, you can break apart another noodle to fit in the sides.
2- Spread about a fourth of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Top with a handful of spinach. Ladle a full covering of marinara sauce on top and then layer two more noodles. Repeat until you have five layers. Spread remaining sauce on top of the final layer and scatter the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.

3- Place lid on the Crock Pot and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours. Lasagna will puff up when done. When ready to serve, cut squares of lasagna out of the Crock Pot to serve.