Hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup: Easy Weeknight Comfort (Print Version)
Whip up this comforting Crockpot Lasagna Soup for an easy weeknight meal. Layers of flavor, simple prep, and totally delicious!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Meat, Dairy
# Ingredients:
→ Hearty Base
01 -
1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
02 -
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Dairy
04 -
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
05 -
6 oz can tomato paste
06 -
4 cups chicken broth
07 -
15 oz container ricotta cheese
08 -
4 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Lasagna Elements
09 -
6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces
10 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasoning & Finishing
12 -
2 tsp Italian seasoning
13 -
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
14 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
15 -
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, first things first, brown your ground beef (or sausage if you're feeling feisty!) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it's nicely browned and no longer pink, drain off any excess fat. This is where I always forget to drain it properly, resulting in a slightly greasier soup than intended – learn from my mistakes! Then, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them until they're soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Oh, that smell! It's the best start to any good soup.
02 -
Now for the easy part! Transfer the browned meat, onion, and garlic mixture into your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and a generous grind of black pepper. Stir everything together until it’s all happy and combined. Give it a little taste here; adjust seasonings if you feel it needs more oomph. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, especially if they're particularly tart. Trust your gut!
03 -
Cover your crockpot and let the magic happen. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You want all those flavors to really meld and deepen. This is the part where your kitchen starts smelling absolutely incredible, and you’ll find yourself peeking in every now and then, just to sniff. It’s totally normal, I promise! The longer it simmers, the more amazing this Crockpot Lasagna Soup becomes.
04 -
About 30-45 minutes before you're ready to serve, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Make sure they're mostly submerged in the liquid so they cook evenly. I once added them too early, and they turned into a total mushy mess – big oops! Keep an eye on them; they should be tender but still have a little bite. This is when the soup really starts to feel like lasagna in a bowl, getting thick and hearty.
05 -
Once the noodles are tender, it’s time for the creamy goodness! Stir in the ricotta cheese and cream cheese until they're fully melted and incorporated, making the soup wonderfully rich and velvety. Sometimes I get impatient and don't stir it enough, leaving little clumps, but hey, it still tastes great! Then, add about half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan. Stir until they're gloriously melted and stretchy. This step transforms the soup into something truly special.
06 -
Ladle generous bowls of your amazing Crockpot Lasagna Soup. Top each serving with a sprinkle of the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and a scattering of fresh basil leaves. The fresh basil really brightens up all those rich flavors. Sometimes I even add a dollop of extra ricotta on top for a beautiful presentation, but mostly because I just love cheese! Serve it up with some crusty bread for dipping, and watch everyone gobble it down. It’s a winner, every time!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcook the noodles; they'll turn to mush. Add them towards the end, I learned that the hard way.
02 -
Always drain the fat from the ground beef completely, or your soup will be greasy.
03 -
Good quality crushed tomatoes make a huge difference in the overall flavor of this soup.
04 -
Serve with garlic bread for dipping – it's a game-changer!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Slow cooker (Crockpot)
02 -
large skillet
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 35-45g
Protein: 30-40g