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

Whip up hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup for an easy weeknight meal. Layers of flavor, minimal fuss, and pure comfort in a bowl.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Meat & Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
05 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
06 - 4 cups beef broth
07 - 2 cups water

→ Flavor Boosters

08 - 2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, or more to taste)
11 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste

→ Lasagna Elements

13 - 8-10 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces
14 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

→ Finishing Touches

17 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
18 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your lean ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want to cook it until it’s beautifully browned, no pink bits left! Drain off any excess fat—I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out, sometimes making a bit of a mess, but hey, that's kitchen life. Then, toss in your chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they're softened and you can really smell that amazing aroma filling your kitchen. This step, honestly, makes such a difference in the depth of flavor for your Crockpot Lasagna Soup.
02 - Once your beef and aromatics are looking good, add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Now, sprinkle in your dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if you like a little kick!), salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for just a couple of minutes, stirring often. This little simmer helps the flavors meld before they even hit the slow cooker. I've skipped this once in a rush, and the soup tasted a bit... flat. Don't be like me, take this extra minute, it’s worth it for a truly flavorful Crockpot Lasagna Soup.
03 - Transfer the entire contents of your skillet into your trusty 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and water. Give everything a really good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined. Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. This is where the magic happens, where all those amazing flavors slowly develop and deepen. You'll start to smell it about an hour in, and honestly, it's one of the best kitchen smells ever!
04 - About 30-45 minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in your broken lasagna noodles. If you're using oven-ready, they'll cook a bit faster. Regular noodles might take closer to 45 minutes, sometimes an hour if your slow cooker runs a bit cooler. You want them to be tender but still have a slight bite—al dente, as they say! I’ve overcooked them before and had a mushy situation, which isn't the end of the world, but not ideal. Keep an eye on them; this is where the "lasagna" part of our Crockpot Lasagna Soup really comes together.
05 - Once the noodles are perfectly cooked, it’s time for the good stuff! Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in the ricotta cheese until it's mostly dissolved, leaving delightful creamy pockets. Then, add about half of your shredded mozzarella and half of your grated Parmesan. Stir gently until the cheeses are beautifully melted and gooey. This step makes the Crockpot Lasagna Soup so luxurious and rich. Sometimes, I add a little extra mozzarella because, well, why not? It’s your soup, make it cheesy!
06 - Ladle generous portions of this glorious Crockpot Lasagna Soup into bowls. Top each serving with the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. For a final flourish, sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and parsley. The fresh herbs really brighten up the rich flavors and add a lovely pop of color. Serve immediately with some crusty bread for dipping. Honestly, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget all about the day's chaos. Enjoy your comforting Crockpot Lasagna Soup!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook the noodles, they get mushy! Add them in the last 30-45 minutes.
02 - This soup thickens a lot overnight, so add a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
03 - Ground turkey or hot Italian sausage works great if you want to change up the meat.
04 - A big slice of crusty garlic bread is non-negotiable for serving, honestly.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - 6-quart slow cooker

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 35-45g
Protein: 30-40g

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