Slow Cooker Lasagne | Slow Cooker Recipes NZ

I love it when my supermarket has best quality mince on sale, I only have a little freezer, but I always stock up!  When you have a slow cooker, you can make the most amazing dinners with mince - all while you do something else all day.  If you haven't tried the Porcupine Meatballs yet, do give that a go, I am still making it once a week - by popular request - we really love it!

Another soon to be popular, I'm sure is this super easy slow cooker lasagna.  Tip - check the ready made  pasta sauce in jar area of your supermarket, on the bottom shelf do they have a cheap as chips 'own brand' tomato, onion type of basic pasta sauce in a 700-800ml tall glass jar?  That's what you need, grab it - actually grab two!  It's perfect for the Porcupine Meatballs and also for this dish.

Slow Cooker Lasagne

Serves 4-6
Cooks on low in 8-9 hours

Beef Layers

500g best quality mince
700-800ml glass jar of pre-made pasta sauce
2 tsp mixed or Italian herbs
freshly ground pepper to taste
1 Tblsp garlic granules or 2 cloves, crushed
2 Tblsp Worcester sauce

250g dried (uncooked) lasagne shapes or strips

Cheese Sauce Layer
2 tsp cornflour
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese
paprika to dust top with

• Spray slow cooker base and turn on to high to start it heating up.
• Add the 6 items in the beef layer to a large mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
• Add one third of the beef layer to the slow cooker base.
• Top with half of the broken up lasagne pieces.
• Add the second third of the beef layer.
• Top with the remaining pasta shapes.
• Add final third of the beef layer.
• Make the cheese sauce layer by mixing the cornflour, egg and milk together, whisk while heating over a medium heat until it's a smooth sauce, add the cheese and stir/whisk until cheese has melted and the sauce is a smooth consistency.  Pour over meat layer and sprinkle with a light dusting of paprika.
• Cover, turn the slow cooker down to low and cook for 8 to 9 hours.

A simple, budget friendly, family friendly recipe that is easily made for a wonderful mid-week meal.  Serve with salad and garlic bread.

Lasagna, like meatloaf, is a great base to sneak extra veggies into too.  Add a finely grated carrot or courgette to the meat - finely chopped celery and or green pepper works well too.  You could even add another layer, try tinned or fresh sliced mushrooms or a layer of baby spinach leaves.  Each variation adds a new dimension, new flavours and adds extra nutrition for your family.  I have not added a layer of cheese or cheese sauce with each meat layer to keep the cost and the fat down.  Cheese has become so expensive, I find it is better for the budget and the arteries to add a little of the quality stuff, than use more of the cheaper stuff, but that's entirely your call.  Make it how you think your family will enjoy it best!

Previous Post:  Spiced Apricot Chicken 

Find more slow cooker recipes for Kiwis, Aussies (and other cooks who use metric measurements) here at... Slow Cooker Recipes NZ - and check this out - the easiest way to see all my Slow Cooker Recipes!

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

If you are an experienced cooked, you can have a lot of fun with this easy recipe, using it as a base.  You can make this recipe with beef mince, pork mince, lamb mince, or chicken mince - and it would not taste the same to the family.  Buy what is on special and use that.

The sauce is what makes this recipe sweet and sour.  So what other sauces can you make with a can of something - either a can of tomato puree and sprinkle of Italian spices or Moroccan seasoning, or a can of coconut cream and a spoon or two of curry paste.  At a pinch a can of mushroom soup with a can of sliced mushrooms would make a great sauce.  I'm sure you are getting the picture!  You know what your family will eat, so let that be your guide. 

Mince is never boring if you have a few ideas!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Meatballs
3/4 C breadcrumbs
2 Tblsp milk
2 large eggs, beaten with a fork
1/2 tsp garlic granules
1/2 tsp ground ginger
season with salt and pepper to taste

600-700g lean mince (beef, lamb, pork, chicken)

Sauce
400g can of crushed pineapple including juice
1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup white vinegar
3 Tblsp soy sauce
1 Tblsp cornflour
1 Tblsp water

• To make the meatballs, put the ingredients except the mince into a large mixing bowl and mix to combine.
• Add the mince, mix to combine and shape into golf ball sized meatballs. (Have you ever used an ice cream scoop to help you do this?) Place meatballs into slow cooker.
• You can make the recipe to this stage the night before if you want to save time in the morning, put the meatballs on a plate and cover with plastic wrap, transfer to slow cooker in the morning.
• To make the sauce, put the first four ingredients into a saucepan on a medium heat, stir and bring to the boil.
• Add the cornflour and water to a small cup and stir to make a smooth liquid, stir mixture into boiling sauce, once sauce has thickened, pour over meatballs.
• Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Serve over rice with cooked carrots, beans, broccoli - whatever fresh or frozen vegetables your family likes with sweet and sour.  If they are not keen on veggies, spread the rice over the whole plate, cover the rice with the veggies then add the meatballs and sauce.  The sweet sauce should help miss or master fussy to eat them all up!

Get ready for a stack of clean plates and a round of complements!  Enjoy!

Have you tried my Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup or the very popular Slow Cooker Corned Beef recipe?  They are easy, tasty, popular family friendly, budget friendly recipes - extra good at this time of year!

Previous Post:  Slow Cooker Porridge Recipes - just what you need to wake up to on a chilly morning.

Find more slow cooker recipes for Kiwis, Aussies (and other cooks who use metric measurements) here at... Slow Cooker Recipes NZ - and check this out - the easiest way to see all my Slow Cooker Recipes!