I use my oval 5qt crock pot. You will need to suit the noodle amount to your crock pot if it is not like mine.
I take my lasagna noodles(oven ready or not) and break them in half. I use 4 halfs per layer, but it all depends on whether yours is round or not to how many per layer you want. I boil my noodles for 15 minutes, even if they are oven ready, as they turn out better that way in the crock pot.
You can cook your meat sauce any way you want. I find the dryer your sauce, the better. Personally, I use:
1 can diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp Oregano
1 - 2 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp Basil
Cook until more of a pasty consistancy than saucy.
Than, to finish off the meat sauce, I take and add 1/3 - 1/2 cup salsa before adding it to the crockpot.
crockpot Layering directions:
noodles
meat sauce
noodles
cottage cheese - 500mL container
noodles
meat sauce
noodles
I then take the Grated Italian Cheese mix so its ready to sprinkle it on top 5 minutes before serving....or else it looks really gross!! Because my crock pot is removeable, I also broil it until the cheese is crispy and bubbly just before serving as Rob likes the top layer crispy.
If assembling while ingredients are still warm, than can be cooked on low for 1.5 - 4hrs. I put mine together before church, and it was delish. I would not recommend cooking on high for more than 1 hr if assembling while warm. If all ingredients are cold, than can cook on high for 2 hrs, but wouldn't do it longer than that.
