If you love lasagna but want something easier and cozier, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is the answer! Imagine all the rich, savory flavors of lasagna—without the fuss of layering and baking. This dish takes everything you adore about traditional lasagna, then turns it into a warm, hearty soup that’s perfect for any night of the week. With just a handful of ingredients and the help of your slow cooker, you’ll have a comforting meal that feels like a big hug in a bowl. Trust me, this will quickly become one of your family’s favorite go-to meals!
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Here’s why this lasagna soup is a total game-changer:
- Effortless: The slow cooker does all the work, so you can spend your time doing other things while the soup simmers away to perfection.
- Comfort in a Bowl: This dish has all the rich, cheesy goodness of lasagna, but in a cozy, soupy form that’s just perfect for cold nights or when you’re craving something hearty.
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup is always a win! Everything cooks in the slow cooker, making your life that much easier.
- Customizable: You can add veggies, swap out the ground meat, or even make it vegetarian. It’s all about making it work for your tastes.
- Filling & Satisfying: With a combination of ground beef, sausage, pasta, and cheesy goodness, this soup will fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied without all the work of making traditional lasagna.
Ingredients
Ready to make this cozy, comforting soup? Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef: The base of the soup’s savory flavor. You can also mix in some sausage if you like a bit more richness.
- Italian Sausage: This adds a bit of spice and extra flavor, making the soup even more hearty.
- Onion: A bit of onion goes a long way in building the soup’s savory foundation.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic infuses the soup with that delicious aroma and depth of flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes: The tomato base for the soup. It gives the dish its signature flavor.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a deep, rich tomato flavor to balance the acidity of the crushed tomatoes.
- Beef Broth: A bit of beef broth brings everything together and adds that soupy element.
- Dried Oregano & Basil: These Italian herbs bring that classic lasagna flavor we all love.
- Lasagna Noodles: Break these up into pieces before adding them to the soup. They’ll absorb all the delicious flavors while cooking.
- Ricotta Cheese: A spoonful of creamy ricotta in each bowl takes this soup to the next level. It’s the lasagna “cheese” without all the layers.
- Shredded Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: For that melty, cheesy topping that makes lasagna so irresistible.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)
Instructions
This lasagna soup is so simple to make! Just follow these easy steps:
1. Brown the Meat
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and sausage. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat and transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add a bit of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker with the meat.
3. Add the Tomato Ingredients
To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Cook on Low
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 4-6 hours, or until the flavors have melded together and the soup is hot and bubbly.
5. Add the Pasta
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add them to the slow cooker. Stir to combine, and let the noodles cook in the soup until tender.
6. Serve with Cheese
Once the noodles are cooked through, it’s time to serve! Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a spoonful of ricotta cheese. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan on top and let it melt into that creamy, cheesy goodness.
7. Enjoy!
Savor each bite of this indulgent, comforting lasagna soup. It’s everything you love about lasagna, with minimal effort!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
How to Serve Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
While this soup is delicious on its own, here are a few ideas to make the meal even more special:
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping. It’s perfect for soaking up the delicious broth.
- Side Salad: A fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette can balance out the richness of the soup.
- Extra Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to top your bowl with more mozzarella or parmesan!
Additional Tips
- Make It Ahead: This soup makes fantastic leftovers! You can store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Freeze It: If you want to make this ahead of time, this soup freezes beautifully. Just let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop.
- Vegetarian Version: To make this soup vegetarian, simply skip the meat and add extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for a hearty, veggie-packed version.
- Use Fresh Lasagna Noodles: If you have fresh lasagna noodles on hand, you can use them instead of dried pasta. Just break them into pieces and add them to the soup as directed.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
A1: Yes! Ground turkey or chicken will work just fine. It may alter the flavor a bit, but it will still be delicious.
Q2: Can I make this without a slow cooker?
A2: Absolutely! You can make this soup on the stovetop by simmering the ingredients in a large pot for about 30-45 minutes, adding the pasta in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Q3: Can I make this soup gluten-free?
A3: Yes! Simply use gluten-free pasta in place of the lasagna noodles to make the soup gluten-free.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
Q5: Can I double the recipe?
A5: Definitely! Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough to hold the extra ingredients, and adjust the cooking time if needed.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is the ultimate comfort food with all the rich flavors of lasagna, but in a cozy, easy-to-make soup form. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this dish will impress and satisfy everyone at the table. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this is one soup you’ll want to make again and again. So go ahead—grab your slow cooker, and let the lasagna soup magic begin!
PrintSlow Cooker Lasagna Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
A hearty bowl of lasagna soup that captures all the flavors of classic lasagna in a comforting, soupy form. Perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the meat: In a large pot, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot with the meat. Cook until the onion is soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the liquids: Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Add the Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring the soup to a simmer.
- Cook the noodles: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the soup. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: While the soup simmers, mix together the ricotta and mozzarella cheese in a small bowl.
- Serve: Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of the ricotta-mozzarella mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and enjoy!
Notes
This dish is ideal for meal prep and can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg