Crock-Pot Lasagna

Crock-Pot Lasagna YUM!

I made a Lasagna yesterday in the crock -pot. I took 3 recipes and made my own. I do that sometimes and then forget to write down what I did. Well, I'll wrote it here because it was good. I think the best one I've made.

I used the 6-quart large oval crock pot.

2-lbs ground beef
Italian spices (I really opened the cabinet and sprinkled some of this and that. I'll try to list all I used)
Oregano
Parsley
Basil
little Rosemary
Italian Seasoning

One small yellow onion
minced garlic (I had the jarred on hand. About 3 cloves or more)
1-1 1/2 jars of spaghetti sauce ( I used Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara)
Lasagna noodles
2 -16 oz. containers of ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (I just used the shaker can kind)
One package of baby spinach
Shredded cheese (usually you use mozzerella. I used cheddar and some string cheeses I had)

1) Saute the onion in a little olive oil until clear.
2) Add the ground beef to the onions.  Add spices and brown the meat.
3) Drain the grease off the browned meat. Add spaghetti sauce. Add enough sauce that it is really wet and saucey (Don't rinse or throw away jar yet!)
4) Simmer on low for a few minutes until it is good and warm.
5) Now you will start to layer. First put some of the meat mixture on the bottom.
6) Add a layer of noodles. Break them to fit and make a good layer.
7) Mix the ricotta cheese with the eggs and parmesan cheese.
8) Smear a layer of the ricotta mixture on the noodles.
9) Add Spinach (and or any other vegetable you want to add here).
10) Throw in a layer of shredded cheese.
11) Add more meat mixture.
12) Continue to layer until pot is to desired capacity.
13) Finish with a little meat sauce on top, sprinkled with a pretty layer of cheese.
14) Take your empty spaghetti jar swirl in 1/4 cup of water and pour that all over the top of the lasagna.
15) Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.

This came out nice and firm. I actually cut it with a spatula and lifted out pieces. Usually a crock lasagna is a little goopy. It is the egg and parmesan in the ricotta that gives it the firmness. I am so excited that I found that little secret out. (Thanks Sis! You know who you are.)
I didn't take a picture. I was too hungry after smelling it all day. I'll take a picture of the leftovers today.

Crock-Pot Enchilada Casserole

Crock-Pot Enchilada Casserole

I really like this recipe. One that gives us something a little different in the crock.

I use a big oval 6 quart crock pot. So this is a big recipe. You can cut it down for the smaller pot.

2 lbs. ground beef
1 small chopped onion
minced garlic (to taste. 2 cloves?)
2-3 cans of pinto beans (red or black beans are good too), drained
28 oz. stewed tomatoes ( I use the diced. I also use one regular and one spiced with green chile's.)
8-16 oz. jar of mild salsa
18-20 corn tortillas
Grated cheese- I prefer the mixed Mexican cheese.
Opt. Sour cream
Opt. black olives, sliced
Opt. green onions
Opt. Tortilla chips

1) Brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic. Drain any fat.
2) Take the tomatoes and blend them to make them soupier. (do you want it chunky? It's up to you.)
3) Add the beans, blended tomatoes, and salsa (I use about 2/3 of a 16 oz. jar) to the ground beef mixture.
4) Simmer mixture for about 5-10 minutes.
5) Spray the inside of your crock-pot with a non-stick spray.
6) Put about 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup of the meat mixture in the bottom of the crock.
layer about 5 tortillas on top of that.
7) Add another layer of meat on the tortillas.
8) Layer some cheese on top of this meat layer.
9) Add a layer of cheese.
10) Continue layers in order (tortillas, meat, cheese) until everything is used up ending with meat then cheese.
11) Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until everything is heated through.

When you serve this dish, I usually put a blob of sour cream sprinkled with chopped green onions and sliced black olives. I also serve it with tortilla chips. We like to eat it like a dip.

This is a yummy hot dinner. I can't remember where I got it originally, maybe a magazine but, I have changed it so much over time I'm sure the . It is so  simple. You can tweak it to fit  your families taste.