Hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup: Easy Weeknight Comfort Food

• Add-ins: Boost your soup with fresh spinach, diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or extra fresh herbs for added nutrition and flavor. Adding more vegetables to your soup can provide significant nutritional benefits.

Equipment

Gathering your equipment before you start cooking makes the process smooth and enjoyable. You won’t need many specialized tools for this easy recipe.

• 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker
• Large skillet for browning meat
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board and knife

Instructions

Prepare this delicious Crockpot Lasagna Soup with these easy, step-by-step instructions. You will love how simple it is to bring these incredible flavors together in one pot. Follow these steps for a perfect, hearty meal.

• Prep the Meat: First, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once cooked through, drain off any excess grease thoroughly.
• Combine Soup Base: Then, place the browned ground beef into your 6-quart crock pot. Add in the diced onion and red bell pepper. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the diced tomatoes. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Finally, pour in the beef broth.
• Slow Cook: Cover your crockpot with the lid. Cook the mixture on the low setting for 6-8 hours, or if you’re short on time, cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours.
• Add Noodles: Remove the lid from the crockpot. Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them directly into the soup. Breaking them over the pot ensures all the small pieces fall right in.
• Finish Cooking: Cover the crockpot again. Continue to cook on high for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the noodles are perfectly tender.
• Serve: Once the noodles are cooked, ladle the hot Crockpot Lasagna Soup into individual bowls.
• Top with Cheese: Garnish each serving with a tablespoon of creamy ricotta cheese, a generous handful of shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best Crockpot Lasagna Soup

• Brown Meat Thoroughly: Don’t skip browning the ground beef. This crucial step adds a deep, rich flavor foundation to your soup.
• Don’t Overcook Noodles: Add the noodles in the final cooking stage. Overcooked noodles can become mushy, so keep an eye on them for al dente perfection.
• Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as needed to suit your preference.
• Prevent Watery Soup: If you prefer a thicker consistency, use slightly less broth to start, or let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish your bowls with fresh basil or parsley just before serving. Fresh herbs add a lovely pop of color and aroma.
• Don’t Overfill Crockpot: Leave enough room in your slow cooker for the noodles to expand. An overfilled pot can lead to spills.
• Creamy Texture: For an extra luxurious and creamy lasagna soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the very end.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

This versatile Crockpot Lasagna Soup is perfect for family meals, and it’s easy to store or adapt. Enjoy it as is, or customize it to your heart’s content.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve your hearty soup with warm garlic bread or crispy breadsticks for dipping.
• A simple side salad, like a Caesar or garden salad, provides a refreshing contrast.
• Crusty artisan bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of delicious broth.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store any cooled leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. It tastes even better the next day!
• Freeze: For longer storage, freeze cooled soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. It’s best to freeze it without the fresh ricotta and mozzarella topping, adding those when reheating.
• Reheat: Gently warm individual portions on the stovetop over low heat, or use a microwave until heated through. Add a splash of broth if it seems too thick.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Simply use plant-based ground crumbles and vegetable broth for a delicious meatless version.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the soup base for a pleasant kick.
• Creamy: Stir in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or a block of cream cheese at the end of cooking for a richer, creamier texture.
• Cheesy: Experiment by mixing in different cheeses like cheddar or provolone along with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Extra Veggies: Boost nutrition by adding diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or a handful of fresh kale or spinach during the last hour of cooking.
• Gluten-Free: Choose your favorite gluten-free pasta and ensure your beef broth is also certified gluten-free.

Nutrition Information

Enjoy a comforting and satisfying meal with this Crockpot Lasagna Soup. These estimated values help you understand the nutritional breakdown per serving.

These values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used. This hearty soup offers a good source of protein and essential nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make this Crockpot Lasagna Soup vegetarian? Yes, absolutely! Replace the ground beef with plant-based ground crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles? Yes, no-boil lasagna noodles work wonderfully in this recipe. They cook up perfectly tender right in the slow cooker.
• How do I thicken lasagna soup? To thicken your soup, you can reduce the amount of broth, simmer it longer with the lid off, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Can I freeze leftover lasagna soup? Yes, you can freeze it. For best results, freeze the cooled soup in freezer-safe containers without the fresh ricotta and mozzarella topping.
• What other pasta can I use? If you don’t have lasagna noodles, penne, rotini, or even broken spaghetti are excellent alternatives. Adjust cooking time as needed until the pasta is tender.
• Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot? Yes! Brown the meat using the sauté function, then add all ingredients (except noodles and cheese). Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, then quick release. Stir in broken noodles and cook on sauté for another 5-7 minutes until tender.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Lasagna Soup offers all the irresistible flavors of traditional lasagna with minimal effort. It’s a comforting, hearty, and incredibly easy meal perfect for any busy weeknight. We know you will love this simple approach to a classic favorite. Give this satisfying recipe a try soon, and share your delightful experience with us!

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Hearty Crockpot Lasagna Soup: Easy Weeknight Comfort Food

This hearty crockpot lasagna soup combines all the comforting flavors of lasagna in an easy-to-make soup format, perfect for a weeknight meal.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• 6-quart Crock Pot

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes 14.5 oz can
• 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz can
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 4 cups beef broth 1 carton
• 12 oz lasagna noodles

For Serving

• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Brown the ground beef in a large skillet and drain the excess grease.
• Place the browned ground beef into a 6-quart crock pot.
• Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes to the crock pot.
• Stir in the Italian seasoning.
• Pour in the beef broth.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Remove the lid, break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces, and stir them into the soup.
• Cover and cook on high for 30-45 minutes until the noodles are cooked through.
• Spoon the soup into bowls and top with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and shredded parmesan cheese.

Notes

Break lasagna noodles directly over the crock pot to catch all small pieces. Adjust cheese topping to your preference.

Amelia Johnson

Amelia Johnson is a 28-year-old chef from New Orleans, Louisiana, known for her innovative take on traditional American cuisine. Growing up in a family that celebrated food, she developed a passion for cooking early on, experimenting with recipes from her grandmother. After graduating from culinary school, Amelia honed her skills in top restaurants, where her talent quickly gained acclaim for its creative dishes. With a focus on seasonal ingredients and bold flavors, she inspires others through cooking workshops, sharing her love for food and the rich diversity of American cuisine.