Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a delightful twist on traditional lasagna, offering all the beloved flavors in a comforting, hearty soup.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines ground beef, Italian sausage, and lasagna noodles with a rich tomato broth and aromatic Italian seasonings, all simmered to perfection in a slow cooker.

Topped with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, each bowl delivers a taste of Italy in a warm, satisfying form. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the comforting flavors that make this dish a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

People are likely to fall in love with this Crockpot Lasagna Soup recipe for several appealing reasons:

Convenience and Ease:

The use of a slow cooker makes this recipe incredibly convenient, allowing you to set it and forget it. It’s perfect for busy individuals who want a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Comforting and Familiar Flavors:

This soup captures all the comforting and familiar flavors of classic lasagna, including the rich tomato base, savory meats, and Italian seasonings, but in a warm and hearty soup form that feels like a cozy hug in a bowl.

Rich and Creamy Texture:

The addition of heavy cream and a cheesy topping made from ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses adds a luscious creaminess that complements the robust flavors of the soup, making each spoonful indulgent and satisfying.

Versatile and Customizable:

While the recipe is delicious as is, it’s also highly adaptable. You can add extra vegetables, adjust the spices, or modify the types of cheese to suit your personal taste preferences or dietary needs.

Ideal for Feeding a Crowd:

This recipe makes a generous amount of soup, making it perfect for feeding a large family or a group of friends. It’s an excellent choice for gatherings or potlucks, as it can easily be doubled or adjusted to serve more people.

Key Ingredients:

Mild Italian Sausage and Ground Beef:

These proteins provide a savory and hearty base for the soup. The combination of sausage and beef adds depth and richness, enhancing the overall flavor profile with a satisfying meaty taste.

Lasagna Noodles:

Broken into bite-sized pieces, these noodles replicate the essence of traditional lasagna, offering a familiar texture and substance to the soup that makes it both filling and comforting.

Tomato Paste and Diced Tomatoes:

These ingredients form the rich, tomato-based broth that is central to the dish. They provide acidity and sweetness, balancing the savory components and creating a robust, flavorful soup.

Italian Seasoning and Garlic:

These aromatics infuse the soup with classic Italian flavors. The blend of herbs in the Italian seasoning, along with the savory notes of garlic, brings authenticity and depth to the dish.

Cheese Topping (Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmesan):

This creamy cheese mixture adds a luscious finish to each serving, mimicking the cheesy layers of a traditional lasagna. It enhances the richness of the soup and provides a delightful contrast to the tomato broth.

Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Ingredients

Lasagna Soup

1 pound mild Italian sausage

1 pound ground beef

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 teaspoons garlic, minced

1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup tomato paste

6 cups low-sodium beef broth

2 (14.5 oz) cans of diced tomatoes

12 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces

1/2 cup heavy cream

Cheese Topping

8 ounces ricotta cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded

Instructions:

Lasagna Soup

Place the sausage and ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and break apart the meat until it is browned. Drain off any excess fat and transfer the mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, tomato paste, beef broth, and diced tomatoes. Stir until everything is well combined.

Cover and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Thirty minutes before the cooking time is complete, break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and add them along with the heavy cream. Stir and continue cooking.

Cheese Topping

In the meantime, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Mix together with a fork and set aside.

Serve the lasagna soup in bowls and top each serving with the cheese mixture. Enjoy!

Notes:

For evenly sized pieces, try to break the pasta into similar-sized chunks.

If using regular beef broth, start with a small amount of salt and adjust as needed towards the end.

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To avoid overcooking the noodles, add them to the slow cooker just 30 minutes before the cooking time ends.

Stir the soup occasionally during cooking to ensure the flavors meld properly.

Don’t skip the heavy cream; it adds a velvety creaminess to the lasagna soup, enhancing the overall texture and taste.

For an authentic Italian flavor, top your bowl of soup with a few torn fresh basil leaves. You can also add some red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.

This version keeps the original recipe intact while offering a slightly varied expression of the instructions. Enjoy your Crockpot Lasagna Soup!

Notes:

Meat Browning:

Browning the sausage and ground beef before adding them to the slow cooker enhances the flavor by developing rich, caramelized notes. This step also helps to reduce excess grease in the final soup.

Noodle Texture:

To ensure the lasagna noodles maintain a pleasant texture, add them to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving. This prevents them from becoming too soft or mushy.

Adjusting Seasonings:

Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasonings to your preference. If using regular beef broth instead of low-sodium, start with less salt and add more as needed towards the end.

Cheese Topping:

Prepare the cheese topping while the soup is cooking, making it easy to serve once the soup is ready. Mixing the cheeses together ensures a creamy, cohesive topping that melts beautifully over the hot soup.

Cream Addition:

Stir in the heavy cream towards the end of the cooking process to add a velvety richness without curdling. This step is crucial for achieving the creamy texture that complements the robust tomato broth.

Extra Flavor Boost:

For an added burst of freshness and authenticity, garnish the soup with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. These additions can elevate the flavor profile and provide a delightful finishing touch.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 8 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of lasagna noodles?

Yes, you can substitute lasagna noodles with other types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or even broken spaghetti.

Just ensure you adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different pasta shapes may have varying cook times.

Add them to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving to prevent overcooking.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version of this soup, omit the sausage and ground beef.

You can substitute with plant-based meat alternatives or add more vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Additionally, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth to maintain the rich flavor.

What can I do to prevent the noodles from becoming too soft?

To prevent the noodles from becoming too soft, add them to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

This way, they have enough time to cook through without becoming mushy.

If you plan to have leftovers, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to individual servings as needed.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this soup ahead of time.

Cook the meat and prepare the broth with seasonings and tomatoes in the slow cooker.

Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

When reheating, add the noodles and cook them until al dente, then stir in the heavy cream and cheese topping just before serving.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

If the noodles have absorbed too much liquid, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

How do I prevent my cheese topping from becoming too thick or clumpy?

To keep the cheese topping smooth and creamy, make sure you mix the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan thoroughly in a bowl before serving.

Let the topping come to room temperature while the soup cooks, as this helps it melt evenly when added to the hot soup.

What should I do if my soup is too thick?

If your soup turns out too thick, you can thin it by adding a bit more beef broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.

Stir well to incorporate the additional liquid evenly.

Remember, the noodles will continue to absorb liquid over time, so it’s okay if it seems slightly thinner when you first serve it.

How can I enhance the flavor of the soup?

For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the soup while it cooks.

Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can also enhance the taste.

A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you prefer a bit of heat.

Can I use a different type of meat or make it meatless?

Yes, you can substitute the sausage and ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative for a lighter or vegetarian version.

If making it meatless, consider adding hearty vegetables like mushrooms or eggplant to maintain the dish’s substance.

How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy if I plan to store leftovers?

To prevent the noodles from getting mushy when storing leftovers, consider cooking them separately and adding them to each serving as needed.

If the noodles have already been cooked in the soup, you can store them separately from the broth, which helps maintain their texture when reheated.