This skinny Veggie Crockpot Lasagna? Packed with good-for-you veggies, super easy to make, and made with a handful of simple ingredients.
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Truly a hearty home cooked meal with little to no effort. I love lasagna. This is probably the best lasagna I have had in a long time.
Katrina
Yesterday I saw the movie Frozen.
This is going to really date this post for future readers, but worth it. Because I have to talk about how cute it was.
If you’re not familiar, Frozen is a Disney movie, um excuse me, musical. A Disney musical. All about an icy land where everything is a little bit magical and a lot bit frozen and where people have names like Hans and Kristoff and Olaf. So basically it was the story of my Scandinavian-rooted freezing cold Minnesota life. And for the record, I do get a little bit cold but I sure love it here.
I told Bjork that he reminded me of the main character Kristoff and he just rolled his eyes. But really, you guys. If you see it, you’ll basically be watching an animated version of what Bjork would be like had he chosen to be a mountain man who cuts ice instead a city man who works on computers.
He’s just a reeeal niiice Scandinavian boy, oh ya you betcha.
HOW TO MAKE OUR VEGGIE LASAGNA (40 SEC):
AND THIS: the movie theater now has recliners. Literally scushy red leather chairs with a button that lifts your feet up and allows you to recline to an almost completely horizontal position. It was both dangerous (sleepy much?) and wonderful. There were at least twenty minutes where we kept pressing the buttons up and down and laughing hysterically because we are five years old. You’re thinking: oh, I know who you are now. You’re those people.
Aaaanyways.
While we were at this movie, I left a little lasagna cookin’ in the crockpot.
Spoiler alert: this veggie crockpot lasagna wasn’t super pretty. More like just a whole bunch of broken noodles and vegetables, sauce, and cheese layered in like thick blankets on top of one another, which is really the only option when you live in the frozen land. It doesn’t even matter, though, because in the end they all sort of just soak together to make layers that hold everything delicious together in one yummy meal.
I chose kale for my veg because a) I kind of like cooked kale, and b) it’s healthy, and c) it was the only vegetable I had in the fridge. That toffee is just taking up too much space, ya know?
So a few hours after I haphazardly threw those ingredients in the crockpot and enjoyed the loveliness of a Disney musical, I got to eat this.
Yessss.
And I felt like I was repaying myself for all that Christmas sugar.
Layers of veggies, sauce, cheese, and thick wavy noodles. I like.
Last note of the day: those pictures were what the lasagna looked like hot outta the pot.
And THIS is what the lasagna looked like after resting for 2-3 hours. I could just slice right through it with a knife and scoop it up like regular lasagna. Healthy lunch for the week – check.
Super Easy Skinny Veggie Crockpot Lasagna
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 1x
Description
This skinny Veggie Crockpot Lasagna is packed with good-for-you veggies and super easy to make. Just put it in the crockpot and you’ve got dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 24-ounce jars or cans of Italian tomato sauce (see notes)
- 9 thick lasagna noodles with wavy edges (mine were called bronze cut)
- 24 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese OR cottage cheese
- 3–4 cups chopped vegetables of choice (I used kale)
- Pesto (to taste)
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese
- Parmesan cheese for topping
- fresh parsley for topping
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce to the bottom so the noodles don’t stick.
- Break noodles so that they fit and mostly cover the bottom. They will probably be awkward looking – not a big deal. Cover with about one third of the ricotta, veggies, pesto, sauce, cheese, and end with noodles. Repeat layers two more times for a total of three complete layers. End with a layer of noodles on top, covered with a thin layer of sauce and a little bit more shredded cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Turn the crockpot off completely and let the lasagna sit for at least one hour. This allows all the moisture to get soaked into the lasagna, and if you don’t do this it will probably be more like lasagna soup – still good, but not pretty. Depending on how long you let it sit, you can either scoop pieces out or just cut with a knife like normal lasagna.
Equipment
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Buy Now → Notes
I didn’t use ALL the sauce in both jars – I probably used a total of 36 ounces (about one and a half jars), and it was really saucy.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: crockpot lasagna, healthy lasagna, veggie lasagna, lightened lasagna
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This recipe is part of our all-star slow cooker recipes page. Check it out!
I can not wait for it come out down under. I am a excited as little kid, the story line is so interesting.
It is great that you found it interesting too. I love when i can relate to characters
mmm… crock pot and lasagna? Yes yes yes!
I have 2 younger sisters that are my BFF, and I’ve heard it’s a must see for the 3 of us! Also, I would be giggling right next to you with the buttons. Too fun!
Um, yes. The storyline is about sisters ♥︎ and love. Two of my favorite things.
Love those nice Scandinavian boys! And lasagna. 😉
Yup. 🙂
Did you use oven-ready lasagna noodles or just regular lasagna noodles?
We used regular lasagna noodles!
I cannot wait to see that movie!! I love that this is vegetarian and an easy crockpot meal. yum!!
This is awesome.
I totally want to see that movie! I know what I am doing this weekend.
Also, is it ok if I copy you and get this baby in my crockpot whilst laughing like a 5 year old? I really think you’re onto the best idea of life there. This looks so good! Easy and healthy = winning at life.
Noooms, this looks delicious and healthy. Which is always a win. And another reason as to why I need a slow cooker.
Skinny lasagna? That’s vegetarian? AND that can be made in a crockpot??! This definitely is going to be made in my house ASAP.
I love kale and lasagna is a great way to find another way to have it.
Hi Lindsay! Love the idea for this lasagna! I never care much about pretty when it comes to food either, as long as it tastes good! 😉
The Rocking Rebel and I went to see the Hobbit last Wednesday, and we saw the trailer for Frozen there. I have to say that it didn’t really look too interesting to me at first glance, but because you liked it so much I guess it must be a fun movie! I do love all the other Disney films. Monsters University is my new favorite!
The preview that they always show (at least what I’ve seen) is just the snowman with the moose on the ice, which is funny because that clip doesn’t even exist in the movie and those are not at all the main characters or storyline. It’s more of just a cute little tease, I think. I really loved the actual movie, as you can tell. 🙂
Hi! Thank you for the recipe! Are there any other substitutes for the kale?
Thanks!
We’d suggest spinach as a sub. Enjoy, Guadalupe!
I need to get my girlfriends together to see this movie. Maybe dinner and a movie so I can whip up a batch of this lasagna! yum
This is like, all of my dreams coming true.
Lindsay One word.. or maybe two.. THANK YOU! Juggling motherhood and school I sure can use this recipe.
That makes me so happy. ♥︎ I hope you like it!
This looks heavenly!!
You make food look so darn good!
*blushing* thanks! 🙂
This looks so delicious! I have been looking for recipes to try in my new crockpot and this one seems perfect.
How did it compare to regular lasagna?
Well, there’s no meat, and less cheese, and it’s a little more messy, but if you let it sit for a while it does hold together just like regular lasagna. And to me, the taste is really just as good! Plus the bonus of kale. 🙂
i;ve never eaten kale and not sure how to use it. do you have to cook it before or just layer it raw in the mix?
Layer it in raw!
Disney animated movies are the best!! I might legally be an adult, but I still watch them in theaters and sing along at home when they come out on DVD. I still have the lyrics to Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin (and so many more) memorized… Anyway. Your lasagna — YUM!! You always take such beautifully composed photographs, and I love the warm colors. Makes me wish I could just dive into the pot right now!
Just bought crock pot slow cooker, never in a million years imagined lasagne, can’t wait to try, have beef bourginon in atm, first try…..
A crockpot is on my wish list, and this is one of the reasons why!
This looks great! Couple of questions (since I MUST make it): did you precook the kale? And, what size crock pot did you use? Thanks!
No precooking anything. 🙂 And I believe mine is a 4 qt.
Thanks! It will be on the menu soon!
Do you cook the noodles before putting them in the crock pot?
Nope!
Did you use no boil lasagna noodles? Thx
Piggy backing on this question, do you use no boil lasagna noodles!??
Me too…
Noodles. No boil or just the regular, hows she goin’, lasagna noodles?!?
Read the recipe, folks. It’s made with THICK wavy noodles. No-cook noodles are thin and nasty.
I have ALWAYS wanted to put lasagna in the crockpot!! Like forever. I super duper want that for dinner tomorrow! And I LOVE that the noodles are not boiled!! High five!!
I loved Frozen. I loved the music. I loved the animation. I loved the whole thing. But I’m pretty love anything Disney. Scratch that. All things Disney!!
Oh – I totally would have played with the recliners, too! 🙂
I am so trying that recipe. Looks positively delicious!
As for Frozen, I’m mad at my son because he chose to go see it with his girlfriend. Girlfriend? I’ve been replaced!
I too love all things Disney and so do not feel I have to have a child with me to see one…. 😉
I have a 5 year old sister and I have to take her to see this! Oh my gosh, we would LOVE it! As we would love this lasagna. Love all the veggies!
I saw your lasagna too Tieghan – looks awesome!
where did you get your lasagna noodles? just wondering if it was trader joes, a normal grocery store or a specialty store?
looks delicious – can’t wait to try it!
Normal grocery store! Cub Foods, Culinary Circle brand. 🙂
I couldn’t find anything like it here in Atlanta – will try a few more stores tomorrow. If that doesn’t work, I’m going to try whole wheat lasagna. Am I right that the thicker noodles won’t get super soft like regular noodles? Is that why they are better? Thanks for your help!!
I think that the really thin ones would kind of get lost in there with all those veggies and sauce, so IMO, the thicker the better! Plus they can soak up more of the excess moisture. 🙂 Good luck!
This looks amazing in a warm, comforting, delicious sort of way. I totally want to see that movie. I was in Disney world last week and it was everywhere.
This looks so good and so easy. I’m currently obsessed with all things crockpot!
I am seriously going to make this. Looks awesome!