DINNER WINNERS

Make the most of your slow cooker with these easy family favourites from Pinch of Nom

- 

PREP TIME: 20 MINS

COOK TIME: 2 1/2 HRS ON HIGH, 5 HRS ON LOW

CALS: 449 FAT: 20G

SAT FAT: 11G CARBS: 32G

Ham, spinach and ricotta lasagne

SERVES 4

A few clever shortcuts make this family favourite easy enough for weeknights.

YOU WILL NEED

200g spinach

500g ricotta

200g sliced ham, half chopped

6-7 lasagne sheets

80g reduced-fat mature Cheddar

For the sauce:

500g passata

2tbsp tomato puree

2tsp each: garlic granules, dried oregano

1tsp onion granules

Mixed salad, to serve (optional)

HOW TO DO IT

1 Wilt the spinach, then cool. Wrap in a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much moisture as you can.

2 Roughly chop the spinach and put in a bowl with the ricotta and chopped ham. Mix well and season with some black pepper.

3 In a separate bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together.

4 Assemble the lasagne directly in the slow-cooker pot. Start with a third of the ricotta mix, cover with a layer of lasagne sheets, then a third of the tomato sauce. Top that with half the sliced ham, then repeat to make three layers, ending with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the Cheddar on top.

5 Place a clean tea towel over the top of the pot and cover with the lid. Cook on high for 2½-3 hrs, or on low for 5 hrs, until the pasta is tender.