1-First Steps: Prep and Browning Start by browning 1 pound of ground beef with 1 small finely diced onion in a large skillet until it’s crumbled and cooked through. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until it smells great. For external insights on slow cooking, check out slow cooking tips from Reddit.

2-First Steps: Drain the excess grease and stir in 26 ounces of spaghetti sauce along with 1 cup of water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In another bowl, mix 15 ounces of small curd cottage cheese, 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley if you’re using it.

3-Layering and Cooking: Spray your 5-quart or larger oval slow cooker with non-stick spray. Layer about 1 cup of the meat sauce at the bottom, then add a layer of broken lasagna noodles using 8-10 uncooked regular ones. Top with some of the cottage cheese mixture and repeat for about 3 layers, ending with meat sauce.

4-Layering and Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours until the noodles soften and liquid absorbs. Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella and ⅓ cup grated parmesan on top, cover, and cook 10-15 more minutes until the cheese melts. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Prep time is just 10 minutes, with total time around 3 to 5 hours, giving you flexibility for your day.