Hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup: Simple Weeknight Meal (Print Version)

Crockpot Lasagna Soup is your ultimate easy comfort food! This cheesy, savory slow cooker wonder makes busy weeknights delicious and simple. A family favorite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Meat-Eater, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
02 - 1 large onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
05 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
06 - 4 cups beef broth

→ Cheese Layer

07 - 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

→ Pasta Power

09 - 6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces

→ Finishing Touches

10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first! Grab your biggest skillet and brown your ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's nicely browned, drain off most of that excess grease – I usually leave just a tablespoon or two for flavor, because, well, flavor! Then, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, and this is where I always forget to add the garlic, so don't be like me! Add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it's super fragrant. You'll smell it, trust me, it’s heavenly.
02 - Now for the easy part! Transfer that glorious meat and onion mixture into your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Give it a good stir to combine everything. This is where the magic begins, honestly. I usually give it a sniff right about now because it already smells so promising. Make sure everything is well mixed, you don't want any clumps of tomato paste hiding in there. This is the foundation for your delicious Crockpot Lasagna Soup!
03 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker and let it do its thing. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. What you're looking for is for those flavors to really meld together and deepen. I swear, coming home to that smell is one of life's simple pleasures. It’s that comforting aroma that just screams 'dinner is ready!' Don't peek too much; let the slow cooker work its charm!
04 - Once your soup base has had its long, slow simmer, it's time for the noodles! Break your lasagna noodles into 1-2 inch pieces – this is crucial, remember my noodle monster story? Stir them into the soup, making sure they're fully submerged in the liquid. If they're not, they won't cook properly, and nobody wants crunchy lasagna noodles in their soup. Replace the lid and continue to cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. This is where it really starts to feel like Crockpot Lasagna Soup.
05 - Almost there! Once the noodles are tender, remove the lid. Now, for the good stuff: stir in that beautiful ricotta cheese and about half of your Parmesan. Stir it gently until the ricotta is mostly melted and creamy throughout the soup. Don’t overmix; you want those lovely pockets of cheese. I sometimes leave a few small ricotta lumps because I love finding them!
06 - Ladle your hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup into bowls. Top each serving with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Honestly, that fresh basil just brightens everything up! It should look rich, cheesy, and utterly inviting. Take a moment to just take in that aroma before digging in – you've earned this easy, comforting meal!

# Notes:

01 - Always brown your meat and aromatics in a separate pan first; it truly builds a deeper flavor for your soup.
02 - This Crockpot Lasagna Soup freezes like a dream in individual portions, perfect for those 'no-cook' days.
03 - If you're out of ricotta, a spoonful of cream cheese can add a surprising creaminess, I’ve tried it!
04 - Serving with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread is my absolute favorite way to enjoy this comforting soup.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Slow cooker (Crockpot)
02 - Large skillet

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

Back