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Add oil in a skillet/pan and saute chopped onion for a minute or so on a medium high temperature.
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Add garlic and stir to infuse oil with garlic, then add Italian sausage and ground beef.
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Add spices and seasoning, and stir. Break the meat while stirring. Meat needs to be completely cooked. You do not need to add too much salt because the tomato paste and marinara sauce are already seasoned well.
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Add tomato paste, fire roasted tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Stir very well. When it starts to bubble, turn the heat off and cover the skillet.
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Turn the slow cooker on and start layering as you would layer lasagna.
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First add a ladle of the sauce, then add a couple of tablespoons of ricotta cheese, following with 1 1/2 cups of uncooked pasta.
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The second layer, on top of the uncooked pasta, adds 1 more ladle of the sauce, ricotta cheese, and shredded cheese.
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Add 1 1/2 cups of uncooked pasta on top, then pour over the rest of the sauce.
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Pour 1 1/2 cups of cold water and add ricotta cheese. At this point, try to spread a cheese and work with a fork in between the pasta to slightly combine it all.
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Top it all with remaining shredded cheese. Cover and cook on high for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the pasta is cooked You may cook it on slow for up to 3 hours or until the pasta is cooked.