Introduction
Imagine the rich, cheesy flavors of classic lasagna but in a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This crockpot lasagna soup recipe offers all that deliciousness without the fuss of layering. It’s perfect for busy evenings, requiring minimal prep and letting your slow cooker do all the hard work. Get ready for a hearty, family-favorite meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but truly takes just minutes of active time.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Lazy Day Convenience: This is a simple “dump-and-go” recipe. You just add your ingredients to the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
- Classic Lasagna Flavor: Enjoy all the rich, savory taste of traditional lasagna without the tedious layering. Every spoonful bursts with flavor.
- Hearty & Filling: It’s a substantial meal, perfect for satisfying hungry families on busy weeknights or warming you up on a cold day.
- One-Pot Meal: Browning the meat is the only step outside the slow cooker. This greatly simplifies cleanup, making your life easier.
- Kid-Friendly: Children adore the familiar flavors of lasagna, and this soup format makes it fun and easy for them to enjoy.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable, common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, saving you money.
Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain excess grease.
- Transfer the browned beef to your 6-quart crockpot. Add diced onion, red bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- After cooking, break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the crockpot. Cook on HIGH for 30–45 minutes until noodles are tender.
- Ladle into bowls and top each serving with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Ingredients
Crafting this amazing crockpot lasagna soup recipe begins with a few simple items. Gather these fresh and pantry staples for a truly satisfying meal.
- For the Soup Base:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 oz can)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 4 cups beef broth (1 carton)
- For Serving:
- 12 oz lasagna noodles
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to customize this slow cooker lasagna soup recipe to your liking. Ground meat works well with ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a vegetarian crumble. For tomatoes, substitute marinara sauce or plain tomato sauce for the crushed and diced varieties. Other pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or bow ties work beautifully if you don’t have lasagna noodles. You can swap cottage cheese for ricotta, or use dairy-free alternatives for dietary needs. Boost your veggies by adding spinach, zucchini, or sliced mushrooms. Fresh basil or oregano make a lovely garnish.
Equipment
Making this hearty soup is simple with just a few standard kitchen tools. You will need a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker to handle all the delicious ingredients. A large skillet is essential for browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker. Additionally, grab a cutting board and a sharp knife for dicing vegetables, along with standard measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
Instructions
This easy crockpot lasagna soup recipe comes together beautifully with minimal effort. Just follow these steps for a comforting meal.
- Prepare Meat: First, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until no pink remains, then drain off any excess grease. This crucial step develops rich flavor for your soup base.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the browned ground beef directly into your 6-quart crockpot. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pot.
- Pour in both the crushed tomatoes and the petite diced tomatoes. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, ensuring everything is well distributed.
- Next, pour in the beef broth. Give all the ingredients a good stir to combine them thoroughly in the slow cooker. This forms the flavorful base for your slow cooker lasagna soup.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot with its lid. Cook the soup on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or if you are in more of a rush, cook it on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Noodles: After the initial cooking time, remove the lid from the crockpot. Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces. You can break them directly over the crockpot so all the small pieces fall right into the soup. Stir the broken noodles into the hot soup mixture.
- Finish Cooking: Place the lid back on the crockpot. Continue cooking the soup on the HIGH setting for an additional 30-45 minutes. Cook until the lasagna noodles are tender and cooked through. Taste a noodle to check for doneness.
- Serve: Ladle the hot crockpot lasagna soup into individual bowls. Top each serving generously with a tablespoon of ricotta cheese, a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, for extra freshness. Enjoy your homemade crockpot lasagna soup recipe!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Perfect Pasta: Always add the noodles only for the final cooking phase. This prevents them from becoming mushy and ensures they are perfectly al dente in your crockpot lasagna soup recipe.
- Flavor Boost: Do not skip browning the meat. This crucial step adds significant depth of flavor and texture to your soup that simply simmering cannot achieve. The Maillard reaction, a chemical process between amino acids and reducing sugars, is responsible for creating the delicious browned flavors in cooked meat. Learn more about the Maillard reaction.
- Cheesy Perfection: For an extra creamy touch, stir some mozzarella cheese directly into the soup during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This provides a lovely melted texture throughout.
- Consistency: Adjust the soup’s thickness to your preference. Add a little more broth if you desire a thinner consistency, or reduce the initial cook time slightly for a thicker soup.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning for a subtle, warming kick. This enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Meal Prep Hack: Brown the ground beef in advance and store it in the fridge. This makes assembling your crockpot lasagna soup recipe even quicker on busy mornings.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile slow cooker lasagna soup is a fantastic family meal. Here are some ideas for serving, storing, and creating new variations.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Pair your comforting slow cooker soup with warm, crusty garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks for dipping.
- A crisp side salad, like a simple Caesar salad or a garden salad with vinaigrette, provides a nice contrast.
- Storage:
- Store any leftover crockpot lasagna soup recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- For longer storage, freeze cooled soup in individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of extra beef broth if the soup appears too thick.
- Variations:
- White Lasagna Soup: For a different take, use ground chicken, a touch of alfredo sauce, and a mix of white cheeses like provolone and mozzarella.
- Vegetarian Version: Easily swap the ground beef for hearty lentils, sliced mushrooms, or your favorite plant-based crumble for a vegetarian crockpot version.
- Extra Veggies: Stir fresh spinach into the soup during the last 15 minutes of cooking. It will wilt perfectly and add more nutrients.
Nutrition
The nutritional values for this slow cooker lasagna soup recipe are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. This information is provided as a general guide.
- Per Serving (approx.):
- Calories: ~605 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~52g
- Protein: ~36g
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~13g
- Cholesterol: ~90mg
- Sodium: ~1143mg
- Fiber: ~4g
- Sugar: ~6g
FAQ
Can I use different ground meat?
Yes, absolutely! Ground turkey or Italian sausage works exceptionally well in this crockpot lasagna soup recipe.
Can I add cheese directly to the soup?
You certainly can. Stirring some shredded mozzarella or parmesan directly into the soup at the end adds creaminess. However, topping each bowl with a fresh dollop of ricotta and a sprinkle of cheese is the traditional and most appealing way to serve it.
How do I adjust the soup’s thickness?
To achieve a thinner soup, simply add more beef broth until it reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker soup, consider reducing the initial amount of broth or cooking the pasta slightly longer to absorb more liquid.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is not inherently gluten-free due to the lasagna noodles. You can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free lasagna noodles or another gluten-free pasta shape.
How long can I store leftovers?
You can safely refrigerate leftovers of this delicious soup in an airtight container for 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
This crockpot lasagna soup recipe truly delivers a satisfying meal with incredible ease. It captures all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna in a simple, comforting, slow cooker format that your whole family will adore. Say goodbye to complicated layering and hello to a hearty, flavorful soup that practically makes itself. Give this delicious slow cooker meal a try for your next weeknight dinner. We know you will love it, so be sure to share your experience and pin this recipe for later!
