Crock Pot Lasagna or Not?

This Lasagna is easy and versatile!  Not just a crock pot recipe!  I had no idea!  The other Mrs. C fixed it in a 2 quart casserole in her convection oven.  Our daughter Mrs. K fixed it in a 9 x 13 dish in her oven.  Live and learn!!!  See NOTE. 

HINT:  You may assemble the lasagna 24 hrs. ahead and refrigerate it until cooking time. No need to cook the the lasagna noodles before assembling the recipe!  They cook while in the crock pot or oven!

CROCK POT LASAGNA or Not – serves 6-8   Any leftovers are delicious!

1 pound uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)

1 small onion, chopped

1 medium garlic clove, minced OR ½tsp Dehydrated garlic

1 tsp garlic pepper

28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

1 ½ 15 oz. canned tomato sauce

1/2 tsp table salt

1 tsp dried oregano  

1/2 tsp dried basil 

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

1 ½ cups nonfat cottage cheese

2 cups shredded parmesan cheese, divided

6 dry lasagna noodles, no-cook   

3 cups fresh chopped spinach (chopped coarsely)

Instructions

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with non stick cooking spray.  Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil.  Add onion and garlic and sauté until slightly translucent, then Add ground beef; sprinkle with garlic pepper; cook, stirring frequently, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together cottage cheese and 1 cup of parmesan cheese.
• Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of cottage cheese mixture, then Add 1 ½ cups of chopped spinach. Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 of  beef mixture.
• Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 2 ½ hours. Remove cover; turn off heat.
• Sprinkle 1cup  cheese over lasagna. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.

NOTE:  If you need to cook the lasagna quicker, spray a 9 x 13 pan with non stick spray.  Fill with ingredients, following the recipe directions.   Cover and bake in 375 degree oven for 1 hr.  Sprinkle 1 cup parmesan cheese over the top and put under the broiler until cheese melts.  Let set for 10 minutes to let lasagna firm up.

OR IN CONVECTION OVEN:   Spray a 2 quart casserole with non stick spray.  Fill with ingredients, following the recipe directions.  Cover and bake in 350 degree convection oven for 45 minutes. Sprinkle 1 cup parmesan cheese over the top and put under the broiler until cheese melts.  Let set for 10 minutes to let lasagna firm up.  Picture below.