This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is perfect for busy days and cozy nights, giving you the classic lasagna taste with minimal effort. It’s family-friendly and sure to please everyone at the table.
If you’re a fan of comforting, hearty meals like me, you’ll absolutely love this Crockpot Lasagna Soup. It’s incredibly easy to prepare—just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day. The result is a warm, satisfying soup packed with all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna, including tender noodles, savory beef, and creamy cheese.
This super tasty dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends when you want a delicious meal without the fuss. I’ll show you how I made my version, and I suggest you give it a try. You’ll be delighted by how simple it is to create a comforting meal that’s both rich and satisfying!
Why This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is great?
This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is great for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly convenient—just toss all the ingredients into the crockpot, and let it cook while you go about your day. Second, it’s packed with rich, comforting flavors similar to traditional lasagna, but in a cozy soup form.
The combination of tender noodles, savory beef, and creamy cheese makes each bowl satisfying and hearty. Plus, it’s easily customizable to suit your preferences, whether you want to switch up the meat, make it vegetarian, or adjust the spice level.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Prepare Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Step 1:
Over medium heat, cook the ground beef in a large skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Step 2:
Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the crockpot. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Step 3:
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours until the flavors are well combined.
Step 4:
About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles to the crockpot. Stir to combine and ensure the noodles are submerged in the liquid.
Step 5:
Mix the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
Step 6:
About 10 minutes before serving, stir the cheese mixture into the soup. Let it cook until the cheese is melted and the noodles are tender.
Step 7:
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Brown the beef thoroughly before adding it to the crockpot. This step deepens the flavor of the soup and prevents a greasy texture, ensuring the beef is well-cooked and flavorful.
- Use high-quality crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to create a rich and flavorful base for the soup. Opting for fire-roasted tomatoes can add extra depth and complexity to the taste.
- Break the lasagna noodles into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly and blend well with the soup. Avoid adding too many noodles at once, as they will expand and absorb a lot of liquid.
- Season generously with herbs and spices such as basil, oregano, and thyme to enhance the soup’s flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired herbal notes.
- Add the cheese mixture towards the end of cooking to keep it creamy and smooth. Stir it in just before serving to prevent the cheese from becoming overly melted or clumping together.
What to pair with Crockpot Lasagna Soup
You can pair Crockpot Lasagna Soup with classic garlic bread for a perfect complement. The crunchy, buttery texture of garlic bread enhances the creamy richness of the soup. If you prefer a lighter option, a simple green salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette is also a great choice.
Additionally, roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots offer a healthy and colorful contrast to the savory soup. Their natural sweetness and texture balance out the richness of the lasagna soup.
Cheese-stuffed breadsticks are another delicious pairing, providing an extra cheesy indulgence that complements the soup’s creamy texture. This combination makes for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s sure to please.
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Replace the ground beef with a mix of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and add extra layers of flavor with fresh spinach or kale.
Chicken Lasagna Soup: Swap out the ground beef for shredded cooked chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken for added convenience and flavor. Adjust the seasoning to complement the chicken.
Spicy Lasagna Soup: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the soup base for a spicy kick. You can also use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef for extra heat.
Gluten-Free Lasagna Soup: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or other gluten-free pasta alternatives. Make sure all other ingredients, such as the broth and canned tomatoes, are gluten-free.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
- Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage for different flavors.
How long should I cook the soup in the crockpot?
- Cook the soup on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the flavors are well combined and the noodles are tender.
Can I use gluten-free noodles in this recipe?
- Absolutely. Just replace the lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta to make the soup suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Can I prepare the soup in advance?
- Yes, you can prepare the soup up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat thoroughly before serving.
How can I make the soup spicier?
- Add red pepper flakes, and chopped jalapeños, or use spicy Italian sausage to increase the heat level of the soup.
Can I freeze Crockpot Lasagna Soup?
- Yes, you can freeze the soup. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw and reheat thoroughly before serving.
What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
- You can substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or a combination of cream cheese and sour cream for a similar texture and flavor.
Conclusion
Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the flavors of lasagna in a soup form. It’s perfect for busy days because you can let the slow cooker do all the work. This soup is warm and comforting, with tender noodles, savory beef, and creamy cheese.
Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes4
hours4
hours20
minutesThis Crockpot Lasagna Soup is perfect for busy days and cozy nights, giving you the classic lasagna taste with minimal effort. It’s family-friendly and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Over medium heat, cook the ground beef in a large skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the crockpot. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours until the flavors are well combined.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles to the crockpot. Stir to combine and ensure the noodles are submerged in the liquid.
- Mix the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
- About 10 minutes before serving, stir the cheese mixture into the soup. Let it cook until the cheese is melted and the noodles are tender.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Break the lasagna noodles into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly and blend well with the soup. Avoid adding too many noodles at once, as they will expand and absorb a lot of liquid.