Description
A hearty and comforting slow cooker lasagna soup that combines rich tomato sauce, ground beef, Italian sausage, noodles, and three kinds of cheese for an easy, hands-off meal ready in about 6 hours.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- ½ pound Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 7 ounces)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (high-quality canned, no sugar added)
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 6 ounces lasagna noodles (about 6 sheets, broken into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (full-fat)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A handful fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage (if using), breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until just browned. Remove meat with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Transfer browned meat, sautéed onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours to let flavors meld and sauce thicken.
- After 4 hours, stir in broken lasagna noodles. Cover and cook on low for another 1 to 1½ hours, checking after 1 hour for al dente noodles.
- Turn off the slow cooker and stir in ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil. Let residual heat melt the cheeses gently.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve with garlic bread or a green salad.
Notes
Brown the meat before adding to the slow cooker for better flavor and texture. Break noodles into bite-sized pieces to prevent clumping. Add noodles later in cooking to avoid mushiness. Stir in fresh basil at the end for brightness. Adjust seasoning before serving. If soup is too thick, add broth or water; if too thin, cook uncovered to reduce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker, lasagna soup, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian soup, hearty meal, weeknight dinner