Turkey and Pesto Slow Cooker Lasagna

This Turkey and Pesto Slow Cooker Lasagna is a healthy version of your favorite Italian dinner recipe -- made easily in the Crock Pot!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Keyword crock pot lasagna, healthy lasagna recipe, slow cooker lasagna

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3 30

Resting Time 15

Total Time 3 50

Servings people

Calories 343kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook turkey, onion, Italian seasoning, and salt until turkey is no longer pink. Drain.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, pesto, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread about 1/3 of the marinara sauce onto bottom of the slow cooker. Place a layer of 3 lasagna noodles on top, breaking noodles as necessary to fit in cooker.
Spread about 1/3 of ricotta cheese mixture on top of noodles. Then add 1/2 of turkey mixture on top. Drizzle with another 1/3 of the marinara sauce and then another layer of 3 noodles.
Repeat with additional layer of 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1/2 of the turkey. Top with remaining noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, and remaining marinara. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for about 2 hours. You know it's done when the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted!
Remove lid and allow lasagna to cool slightly (for about 10-15 minutes) before slicing and serving. This will allow it to set so that it stays together nicely in squares!

I used ground turkey breast, but you can absolutely substitute with your favorite lasagna meat – ground beef, ground sausage, whatever! Make a CHICKEN LASAGNA using about 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken or ground chicken instead of the turkey.
Look for "oven ready" or "no boil" lasagna noodles so that you don't have to pre-cook the noodles before they go into your slow cooker.
Prepare the turkey and the ricotta mixture in advance and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to assemble your lasagna. You can do this the night before or over the weekend, so that you only have to layer the ingredients in your slow cooker before turning it on.
How to reheat leftover lasagna: if you have extra lasagna that you'd like to reheat for another meal, just place the lasagna in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees until heated through (about 20-30 minutes).