G Free Crock-pot Lasagna

I can't believe this space is 2 today! Blogging has been full of surprises and even though it's had it's ups and downs, this is something I've really grown to love. One of the biggest surprises to me has been how popular the Crock-Pot Lasagna is. I mean it's insane how many people have pinned it on Pinterest. Not to mention the responses and e-mails that I get just about every day. When I write posts I tend to label them in my head as fillers or as substance. Sometimes I work really hard to put a post together. I spend time taking the best pictures I can and choosing each word to say carefully. I hope that people will enjoy it, be inspired or try it out themselves. Granted it's hard to tell sometimes if people don't comment. I always considered the Crock-pot Lasagna to be a filler. I thought the pictures weren't that great and that it was so easy people would think, "Oh I've seen that before, who even uses a crock-pot these days." Well I was pleasantly surprised!

I love hearing all the stories from people. Moms have been thrilled to fix something that their entire family will eat. Children have shared pictures of them making it all by themselves. College students have been so proud to be able to make a home-cooked meal in their dorm room. People have taken the recipe and made it their own using homemade sauce, special seasonings or variety of cheeses. That's what I love about cooking and sharing recipes, the ability to make it your own. You don't have to stick to the rules. That's definitely true with crock-pot cooking. As you probably know there have been just as many Crock-pot Lasagna failures as successes. I admire those who never gave up though and tried again finding that just a little less time was needed or maybe a little more. Sometimes I wonder if people actually read my blog or come just for the Crock-pot Lasagna and there have been times when that hurt my feelings a little. That's when I have to remember that I blog because I love it and the thought of inspiring just one person in the whole wide world is worth it.

Today since it's my blogiversary I thought it would be fitting to share with you another Crock-pot Lasagna variation. The ingredients have changed a little. Eggplant instead of noodles and the only meat is spicy Capicola Ham.

G Free Crock-pot lasagna is inspired by a Rachael Ray recipe we enjoy, Grilled Eggplant Roll Ups. This recipe is the same concept as the original Crock-pot Lasagna recipe but it's gluten free. I haven't talked about it on the blog, that I can remember, but I stopped eating gluten when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It's just one way that helps reduce inflammation in my body and keeps me feeling healthy. There have also been readers asking about using gluten free noodles in this recipe, I haven't tried it so I'm not sure how it works. I do know that using eggplant does work and is so yummy good. With much anticipation here's the recipe:                                                                


G Free Crock-pot Lasagna

Ingredients
1/2 pound spicy Capicola Ham
29 oz can tomato sauce
2 firm eggplants, very thiny sliced lengthwise
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cups cottage cheese 

Directions
1. Clean eggplant & slice lengthwise
2. Spray the inside of the crock-pot with non-stick cooking spray
3. Spread 1/4 of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the crock-pot
4. Arrange 1/3 of the raw eggplant over the sauce
5. Combine cheeses in a bowl. Spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the eggplant. 
6. Next add a layer of Capicola Ham 
7. Repeat the layers at least 2 more times
8. Top with remaining sauce
9. Cover and cook on low for 4 hrs
10. Let the lasagna stand in the crock-pot with the lid on for at least 10 minutes  

 

Let me know if you try it, how it turns out and any changes you made. I can't wait to hear from you!