Savvy Slow-Cookin’ ~ Lasagna

It’s here!  The first Monday of October!  It’s time for the FIRST EVER Savvy Slow Cookin’ Link-Up, and I couldn’t be more excited!  It’s the perfect time of year to start sharing our favorite slow-cooker recipes.  So, let’s get started. . .

If I were to ask my family what their favorite slow-cooker meal is, I’m sure I’d get various responses; but I know that Ashley would say “Crock Pot Lasagna”.  I got this particular recipe several years ago from my dear friend Sue (who has since passed away).  She’s not here to correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe it originated in her daughter’s school cookbook.  In any case, I have no idea who the credit goes to for this one; I’ve changed it up a bit to suit our needs (and my particular Crock-Pot®) – I’ll note my changes below - but it goes like this:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 lb. hamburger (we buy our burger in bulk and always get it in 1 lb. packages, so that’s what I use in the recipe)
• 12 oz. wide egg noodles
• Lg. jar spaghetti sauce (or 2 regular sized jars, as in my picture)
• 1/2 stick butter
• 8 oz. Velveeta
• 8 oz. shredded Mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese

*As you can see, I do my shopping at Aldi’s.  I love that store! I can make meals so much cheaper when I shop there for ingredients.  We used to be sauce snobs – only Prego for us – but we’ve found that we also really like the sauce at Aldi’s, which is about 1/2 the price.  Yep – love that store!

DIRECTIONS:

NOTE: For a slow-cooker recipe, I have to say that this particular one is not a “just throw and go” recipe.  It actually requires some prep work.  Normally, I don’t like those types of slow-cooker recipes.  Also, this one really only needs to cook for 3 hours; so I use it when I’ll only be gone for a few hours in the afternoon.

Fry hamburger ‘til browned.  Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.  Add butter to hot noodles.  (You know, I’ve always wondered if you could omit this step from the recipe.  I think the point of the butter is to keep the noodles from sticking together.  I’m not 100% sure.  It’s the only time I ever butter my noodles.)

Layer ingredients in slow-cooker (the original recipe calls for 3 layers; but since I have a larger Crock-Pot®, I only do 2 layers) in this order:

Repeat layers. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Recently, I realized that I often forget to take a picture of the finished product.  I think that’s because we’re always too busy eating it.  Trust me when I say that it looks, smells, and tastes quite yummy though.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

NOTE: This recipe does tend to get very dark around the edges (almost burned) if you don’t stir it.  So, if you’re home at around the 2 hour mark, I’d recommend a good stirring – and then to watch it closely.  As I mentioned previously, it’s usually done at the 3 hour mark, but this could depend on the size of your slow-cooker.

Now it’s YOUR turn to share one of your favorite slow-cooker recipes!  Simply link up below.  Then, have fun visiting all the other blogs and finding new recipes to try!

Savvy Slow Cookin’ will run on the FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.  So, plan to come back again next month – November 5th – for a new post, a new recipe, and a new link-up.  Until then, get savvy with your slow cooker!