This Crockpot Lasagna Soup combines the classic flavors of lasagna—rich tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, tender noodles, and melted cheese—in a delicious, easy-to-make soup. It’s the perfect comfort food for chilly days and requires minimal effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home. Each spoonful of this soup is packed with savory Italian flavors, while the topping of creamy ricotta and shredded mozzarella gives it that familiar lasagna indulgence. Garnished with fresh basil, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy this twist on a traditional pasta dish with all the warmth and flavor of a comforting soup.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Directions:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Transfer the beef to the Crockpot.
- Add onion, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir in the lasagna noodles and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until the noodles are tender.
- Serve with a dollop of ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and fresh basil on top.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 6-7 hours on low | Total Time: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Kcal: 380 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Crockpot Lasagna Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Dish for Busy Days
When you think of comfort food, lasagna is one of the first dishes that comes to mind. With its layers of savory beef, rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, and creamy cheese, traditional lasagna is beloved for its heartiness and flavor. But while classic lasagna is delicious, it can be time-consuming to prepare. Enter Crockpot Lasagna Soup—a brilliant way to enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the time and with significantly less effort.
This recipe reimagines lasagna in soup form, combining all the beloved ingredients into a warm, hearty bowl perfect for cozy nights. The slow cooker does all the work, transforming simple ingredients into a meal that tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen.
Why Crockpot Lasagna Soup is Perfect for Busy Lifestyles
Traditional lasagna recipes require layering, baking, and often, frequent checking to make sure everything cooks evenly. For anyone juggling a busy schedule, this can feel like a time commitment you just don’t have. With Crockpot Lasagna Soup, you can still have the flavors of homemade lasagna, but with a “set it and forget it” approach that fits into the busiest of days.
Simply add browned beef, onion, and flavorful seasonings to the Crockpot, cover with beef broth, tomatoes, and Italian spices, and let it cook on low. The noodles are added near the end of the cooking process to ensure they reach the perfect texture, and the soup is finished with ricotta and mozzarella for that cheesy lasagna experience in every spoonful.
Nutritional Benefits of This Comforting Soup
While this recipe maintains the hearty satisfaction of traditional lasagna, it also offers a few nutritional advantages.
- Rich in Protein: The ground beef is a great source of protein, crucial for building muscle and supporting a strong immune system.
- Balanced Carbohydrates: With pasta as a base, you’ll get a healthy serving of carbohydrates for energy without the heaviness of a thick lasagna portion.
- Low-Sodium Option: By controlling the ingredients, especially the broth and canned tomatoes, you can reduce the sodium content significantly, making it a heart-healthier option.
- Calcium Boost: Topping each bowl with a dollop of ricotta and shredded mozzarella cheese adds a delightful touch of creaminess and also provides calcium, essential for bone health.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Lasagna Soup
For an even tastier result, here are a few tried-and-true tips:
- Browning the Meat: Browning the beef before adding it to the Crockpot brings out the meat’s natural flavors and adds a deeper, savory taste to the soup.
- Quality Cheese: Use high-quality ricotta and mozzarella cheese to elevate the dish. Fresh ricotta will add creaminess without being heavy, and mozzarella brings a melt-in-your-mouth quality that’s reminiscent of traditional lasagna.
- Opt for Whole Basil Leaves: Fresh basil leaves used as a garnish add a pop of color and a burst of flavor. Alternatively, stir chopped basil directly into the soup for an earthy freshness.
- Adjusting Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, add a small can of tomato paste or let it simmer for a bit longer uncovered at the end to reduce the liquid. For a thinner consistency, add a bit more broth.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
One of the best parts about Crockpot Lasagna Soup is how well it holds up as leftovers. Like most Italian dishes, the flavors only deepen after a day in the fridge, making it even more delicious when reheated. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have ready-to-eat meals that save time while still tasting freshly made.
The soup can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. If you plan to freeze it, consider leaving out the pasta, as pasta can become too soft after freezing and reheating. Instead, cook the pasta separately and add it when serving.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
Crockpot Lasagna Soup has quickly gained popularity as a beloved alternative to lasagna for many reasons:
- Easy to Make: The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, allowing you to enjoy the comfort of lasagna without intensive cooking.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust this recipe to your preferences. Add more veggies, like spinach or mushrooms, or try it with ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef.
- Crowd-Pleaser: With its familiar flavors and comforting warmth, this soup is perfect for family dinners, gatherings with friends, or even solo meals on a chilly evening.
Fun Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Here are a few fun ideas to make the recipe even more unique:
- Vegetarian Version: Swap out the beef for a variety of vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant, and use vegetable broth instead. You can even add a can of lentils for protein.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to give your soup a bit of heat. It pairs wonderfully with the creamy cheese topping.
- Mexican Lasagna Twist: For a Tex-Mex-inspired soup, add black beans, corn, and a pinch of cumin, and top with shredded cheddar and sour cream instead of mozzarella and ricotta.
Conclusion
Crockpot Lasagna Soup offers all the cozy flavors of a lasagna dinner but with the simplicity and ease of a slow-cooked meal. It’s hearty, rich, and satisfying, yet lighter than a classic lasagna and quicker to prepare, making it perfect for chilly evenings, busy weekdays, or any time you crave a little warmth and comfort in a bowl.
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Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Total Time: 0 hours
Description
This Crockpot Lasagna Soup combines the classic flavors of lasagna—rich tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, tender noodles, and melted cheese—in a delicious, easy-to-make soup. It’s the perfect comfort food for chilly days and requires minimal effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends at home. Each spoonful of this soup is packed with savory Italian flavors, while the topping of creamy ricotta and shredded mozzarella gives it that familiar lasagna indulgence. Garnished with fresh basil, this dish is hearty, satisfying, and sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy this twist on a traditional pasta dish with all the warmth and flavor of a comforting soup.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Transfer the beef to the Crockpot.
- Add onion, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Stir in the lasagna noodles and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until the noodles are tender.
- Serve with a dollop of ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and fresh basil on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low
