Oh, you guys, let me tell you about my absolute go-to for those nights when you just *need* something comforting but don’t have a ton of time? It’s this Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe You’ll Love. Seriously, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl! I first whipped this up on a crazy busy Tuesday when I was craving lasagna but knew I wouldn’t have the energy for all the layering. Turns out, you get all that amazing lasagna flavor, all the cheesy goodness, in a super easy soup that practically makes itself in the slow cooker. It’s become our family’s favorite weeknight savior. You are going to be obsessed!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Honestly, sometimes you just want that comforting lasagna taste without all the fuss, right? This recipe is a total game-changer! Here’s why it’s become a staple in my kitchen:
- Seriously Easy: You just do a quick sear on the meat and then dump everything else into the slow cooker. Let it do its magic! No layering, no mess, just pure deliciousness.
- All the Flavor, Half the Work: You get all those rich, savory, tomato-y, cheesy flavors of lasagna in a cozy bowl of soup. It’s like magic!
- Ultimate Comfort Food: On a chilly evening or after a long day, nothing beats a warm bowl of this soup. It’s hearty, satisfying, and feels like a vacation for your taste buds.
- Time-Saving Wonder: Prep it in the morning or during your lunch break, and when dinner time rolls around, you’ve got a hot, delicious meal waiting. Your future self will thank you!
Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
Okay, so gathering your goodies is half the fun! For this amazing soup, you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage (the bulk kind works best here!)
- 1 large onion, chopped up nice and small
- 3 cloves garlic, all minced up
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes – make sure they’re good quality!
- 4 cups of good beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- A good pinch, about 1/2 teaspoon, of red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy!)
- Salt and black pepper, to your taste – always season as you go!
- 1 cup lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces so they fit easily
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (this is for dolloping on top, so yummy!)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for that gooey factor!)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (don’t skimp here!)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for a pretty garnish
See? Nothing too crazy, just pantry staples and a few fresh things to make it sing!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
Alright, let’s get this soup cooking! It’s honestly so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever did it the other way. Here’s how we bring all those delicious lasagna flavors together in our slow cooker:
Browning the Meats and Aromatics
First things first, we need to build a flavor base. Grab a big skillet and get your ground beef and Italian sausage browning over medium-high heat. Break it all up as it cooks. Once it’s nicely browned, drain off that extra grease – nobody wants a greasy soup! Now, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up for about 5 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it smells amazing. Trust me, this little bit of browning makes a HUGE difference!
Combining Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Now for the magic part! Carefully transfer that beautiful browned meat and onion mixture into your slow cooker. Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Don’t forget to add your dried basil, oregano, and those little red pepper flakes if you like a touch of heat. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything is happy and combined. A good sprinkle of salt and pepper at this stage is key, too!
Slow Cooking to Perfection
Pop that lid on tight, and let it cook! You have two options here: cooking on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Honestly, low and slow is my favorite because the flavors just meld together even better, but high works great if you’re in a pinch. You’ll know it’s ready when everything smells absolutely divine and the flavors have really deepened. For more amazing slow cooker recipes, check out this collection!
Adding Noodles and Finishing Touches
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, it’s time for the lasagna noodles! Stir those broken noodles right into the simmering soup. Let them cook until they’re perfectly tender – you don’t want them mushy, but definitely not crunchy! Once the noodles are done, ladle that glorious soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of creamy ricotta, some melty mozzarella, and a sprinkle of sharp Parmesan. A little fresh parsley on top makes it look super pretty, too!
Tips for the Best Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
You know, even with a super easy recipe like this, a few little tricks can make it go from great to absolutely phenomenal! I’ve learned a thing or two over the years of making this soup, and I want to share them with you so yours turns out perfect every single time.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Don’t be afraid to play around! If you’re not a fan of both beef and sausage, you can totally use just one. Or, for a lighter touch, try ground turkey or chicken. Want to sneak in some veggies? Cooked mushrooms, spinach, or even diced zucchini are fantastic additions that cook up beautifully right in the slow cooker. And for my gluten-free friends, just swap out the regular lasagna noodles for your favorite gluten-free pasta – it works like a charm!
Achieving the Perfect Consistency
Sometimes, a soup can end up a little thinner than you’d like, or maybe a bit too thick. No worries! If your soup turns out a little watery, it’s super easy to fix. Just whisk together a tablespoon of cornstarch with about two tablespoons of cold water until it’s smooth, then stir that slurry into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It’ll thicken up lickety-split! If it gets too thick, you can always just stir in a little extra beef broth or water until it’s just right for your liking. For more soup ideas, you can check out my other soup recipes!
Serving Suggestions for Your Lasagna Soup
This Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup is so hearty and satisfying all on its own, but honestly, it’s even better with a little something on the side! I love serving it with a super crusty piece of garlic bread for dipping – it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop of that flavorful broth. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette also cuts through the richness beautifully. For an extra Italian flair, maybe some cheesy breadsticks or even a mini focaccia would be amazing!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Properly storing and reheating this soup is super easy. For the best results, let the soup cool just a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or zap it in the microwave. If it’s a little thick, just add a splash of broth or water to get it back to that perfect soup consistency!
Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
Got questions about this amazing soup? I’ve got answers! Here are some things people often ask:
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! If you want to skip the meat, just leave out the ground beef and Italian sausage. You can add extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to amp up the flavor and heartiness. Sometimes I even add a can of drained lentils for extra protein!
How long does it keep in the fridge?
This soup is honestly even better the next day! It will keep nicely in an airtight container in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure it’s cooled down before you put the lid on.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, you can totally freeze lasagna soup! I usually let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It should keep well in the freezer for about 2-3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What kind of noodles work best?
I love using broken lasagna noodles because they feel so authentic, but you can really use any shape of pasta you like! Small shells, ditalini, or even penne would work great. Just make sure to add them towards the end of cooking so they don’t get mushy.
Do I really need to brown the meat first?
Oh, definitely! Browning the ground beef and Italian sausage first is a super important step if you want that deep, rich flavor. It helps render out some of the fat and develops a lovely texture and taste that you just don’t get if you skip it. It makes all the difference! If you ever need more recipe help, feel free to reach out!
Nutritional Information
Alright, so let’s chat about what you’re getting with a hearty bowl of this soup! Remember, these numbers are just estimates, since the exact amounts can change depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use. Think of it as a good ballpark figure!
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: Around 550 – totally worth it for this comfort food!
- Total Fat: About 30g (with 12g being saturated fat)
- Protein: A whopping 35g – this soup really fills you up!
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g (with about 6g of fiber)
- Sugar: Around 15g – mostly from the tomatoes and a little from the sausage!
- Sodium: We’re looking at about 1200mg. You can adjust this by using low-sodium broth if you like!
This is just a guide, but it gives you a good idea of the deliciousness you’re enjoying!
Print
Irresistible Crock Pot Lasagna Soup
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and flavorful lasagna soup made easily in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup lasagna noodles, broken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Transfer the meat and onion mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Stir everything to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Cook until the noodles are tender.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- You can use a different type of pasta if you don’t have lasagna noodles.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: lasagna soup, crock pot, slow cooker, easy recipe, comfort food, Italian soup