Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (dried oregano, basil, thyme blend)
Broth and Pasta
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and tender, about 3-5 minutes. This step deepens the flavor and builds a rich aromatic base.
- Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat and aromatics into your slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, broth, and broken lasagna noodles. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the noodles are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Add the Cheeses: Stir in the ricotta cheese to incorporate creamy richness. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then close the lid and let the cheese melt for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese as desired. Enjoy the warm, cheesy, comforting flavors right away.
Notes
- Prep meats in advance: Brown your meat the night before to reduce cooking time on busy days.
- Use broken noodles: Break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Don’t overcook cheese: Add cheeses near the end to keep their creamy texture and avoid over-melting.
- Adjust seasoning last: Taste and add salt or herbs at the end as flavors intensify during cooking.
- Fresh herbs for freshness: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for added color and brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Can be made Gluten Free with gluten-free noodles
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: slow cooker lasagna soup, lasagna soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy dinner, crockpot lasagna soup, hearty soup