I absolutely love this Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe because it captures all those comforting lasagna flavors in a cozy, easy-to-make soup form. It’s like having a big warm hug in a bowl—perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights when you want something hearty without standing over the stove forever. Trust me, this recipe delivers the classic cheesy, meaty goodness we all crave, but with the convenience of a slow cooker.
When I first tried this, I was amazed at how well the flavors melded together over hours of slow cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and the broth rich and savory. You’ll find that this Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe is not only simple to prep but also customizable to your taste, making it a family favorite in my house that everyone requests again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Set-it-and-forget-it ease: You can start your soup in the morning and come home to a delicious meal ready to enjoy.
- Family-friendly flavors: Everyone loves classic lasagna ingredients, but combined into a comforting soup form.
- Nutritious and hearty: Loaded with veggies, protein, and whole flavors that satisfy hunger without heaviness.
- Customizable with ease: You can easily swap in veggies or proteins to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients come together beautifully to create layers of flavor and texture that feel just like lasagna in a bowl. I recommend using fresh herbs and quality marinara sauce to get the best depth of taste.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity, smooth base for sautéing the beef and veggies.
- Lean ground beef: I like 90% lean for the perfect balance of flavor and less grease.
- Yellow onion: Gives sweetness and aroma, diced finely for even cooking.
- Green bell pepper: Adds a light crunch and fresh flavor to the soup.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings that unmistakable Italian warmth.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that ties all the flavors together.
- Kosher salt: Essential to enhance all the savory ingredients.
- Ground black pepper: For a subtle, gentle heat.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional but I love the mild kick they add.
- High-quality marinara sauce: Rao’s Roasted Garlic is my go-to for rich, authentic flavor.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the soup savory but balanced, letting the other flavors shine.
- Parmesan rind (optional): It’s a secret trick to deepen flavor — toss it in if you have one!
- Dried lasagna noodles: Broken into pieces (regular ones, not no-boil), so they cook evenly in the soup.
- Baby spinach: Adds freshness and nutrition near the end of cooking.
- Part-skim ricotta cheese: For creamy, rich topping that contrasts the tomato base.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully into the ricotta mix.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: To punch up that cheesy flavor in the topping.
- Fresh basil leaves: Chopped into the topping and as a garnish – fresh herbs always brighten the whole bowl.
Variations
I love making this Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe my own, depending on what’s in my fridge or how much time I have. Feel free to adjust it to your preference—there’s a lot of wiggle room to make it fit your family’s tastes perfectly.
- Meat substitutions: I’ve swapped ground turkey or Italian sausage and both work wonderfully to change up the flavor.
- Vegetarian version: Try replacing beef with mushrooms and adding extra veggies like zucchini or carrots; just double up the seasoning for depth.
- Spicy kick: If you like it hotter, sprinkle in extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce before slow cooking.
- Cheese variations: Sometimes I mix in some fontina or asiago with the ricotta topping for a fancy twist that melts beautifully.
How to Make Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat and Aromatics
Start by heating your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the ground beef, diced onion, green bell pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook everything together for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat starts to brown and the onions soften. It’s okay if the beef isn’t fully cooked because it’ll finish in the slow cooker, but you want to develop that rich browned flavor here.
Step 2: Transfer and Slow Cook
Transfer the browned mixture to your slow cooker, then pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth. If you have a Parmesan rind, toss that in too; it adds a wonderful depth of umami flavor. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. Your house will start smelling absolutely amazing!
Step 3: Add the Noodles
When the slow cooking is almost done, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Cover again and keep cooking on LOW for 25 to 35 minutes until the noodles are tender but still have a slight bite. Keep an eye on this part because every slow cooker heats a bit differently; overcooked noodles can get mushy quickly.
Step 4: Finish with Greens and Cheese
While the noodles cook, mix together the topping: ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and chopped basil. Once the noodles are done, stir fresh spinach into the soup. It’ll wilt immediately, adding color and nutrition. Serve your soup in big bowls topped with a generous dollop of that cheesy ricotta mixture and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves. You’re in for a treat!
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Pre-browning the beef: This step adds so much flavor and helps reduce excess fat in the soup.
- Gentle noodle cooking: Don’t add noodles too early—they turn to mush fast if left in the slow cooker too long.
- Use the Parmesan rind: It’s an easy secret ingredient that elevates the broth’s richness.
- Keep ricotta topping separate: Add it at serving to keep the flavors vibrant and textures creamy without melting away.
How to Serve Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of topping this soup with a generous scoop of the ricotta and mozzarella mixture, fresh basil leaves, and sometimes a light sprinkle of extra Parmesan for that final cheesy burst. It’s such a cozy, indulgent touch that makes every spoonful taste like a restaurant dish made just for you.
Side Dishes
Slice up some crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to dunk into the soup—it’s an easy way to round out the meal. A crisp Caesar salad or even a simple green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette also pairs beautifully, balancing the richness of the soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this soup in mini casserole dishes or even in individual bread bowls for a fun twist. Adding a drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a sprinkle of chili flakes right before serving gives it that wow-factor, especially if you want to impress guests without much fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Crockpot Lasagna Soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 5 days. I keep the ricotta topping separate because it tends to lose its creamy texture if mixed in and refrigerated. This way, the next day’s supper feels just as fresh and cheesy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup successfully for up to 3 months—just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. I don’t freeze the ricotta mixture but think it should do fine if you wrap it tightly. Keeping the cheese separate really preserves the flavors and textures best.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. The microwave works too, just heat in intervals so the noodles don’t overcook. Top with room-temperature ricotta mixture once warm and freshen up with extra basil for that just-made feel.
FAQs
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Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles in this Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe?
It’s best to use regular dried lasagna noodles broken into pieces since no-boil noodles tend to have a different texture and may become overly soft or mushy in the slow cooker. Regular noodles handle the slow cooking process better.
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Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap out the ground beef for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based meat substitute. Boost the Italian seasoning and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it flavorful.
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How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy?
Add the broken lasagna noodles only about 30 minutes before the soup finishes cooking. This timing gives them enough time to cook through without becoming too soft. Keep an eye on them, since slow cooker heat levels can vary.
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Can I prepare this Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe in advance?
Yes! You can assemble everything in the slow cooker insert the night before and refrigerate. Just wait to add the noodles and spinach until you’re ready to cook or towards the end of cooking so they don’t get soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the ultimate fusion of convenience and classic comfort food. Honestly, if you’re looking for a meal that warms you up and fills you up without a ton of fuss, you’ll really enjoy making and sharing this one. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your go-to for cozy nights, too.
PrintCrockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a comforting, hearty dish that combines all the flavors of classic lasagna in a warm, easy-to-make soup. It features browned lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, Italian seasoning, and broken lasagna noodles simmered in marinara and chicken broth, topped with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella mixture and fresh basil. Ideal for slow cooker lovers, this recipe effortlessly delivers a satisfying meal with minimal active cooking time.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 small yellow onion, 1/4-inch diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, 1/4-inch diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (24-ounce) jar good quality marinara sauce (Rao’s Roasted Garlic recommended)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Parmesan rind (optional, add if available)
- 8 ounces dried lasagna noodles broken crosswise into 2-inch pieces (regular, not oven-ready/no boil)
- 3 cups roughly torn or chopped baby spinach
For the Topping
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves plus additional for serving
Instructions
- Brown the beef and vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef, diced yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking apart the meat with a spatula, until the meat is browned on the outside and the onion starts to soften, approximately 5 minutes. Note that the beef does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Transfer to slow cooker and add liquids: Move the beef and vegetable mixture into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in the marinara sauce, low-sodium chicken broth, and add a Parmesan rind if you have one for extra depth of flavor. Stir to combine.
- Slow cook the soup base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the meat to become tender.
- Add noodles and finish cooking: Stir in the broken lasagna noodles into the soup, then recover and continue cooking on LOW until the noodles are tender but not mushy, about 25 to 35 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your slow cooker and the noodle size pieces.
- Prepare the cheese topping: While the noodles cook, mix together the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, kosher salt, and chopped fresh basil in a small bowl until well combined.
- Finish with spinach: Uncover the slow cooker and stir in the baby spinach until it wilts into the soup, enhancing the color and nutrients.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture and extra fresh basil leaves to taste. Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
- TO STORE: Store leftover crockpot lasagna soup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the ricotta topping separately and refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftover soup for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The ricotta topping can also be frozen and thawed but has not been extensively tested.
- TO REHEAT: Warm soup gently on the stovetop or in a microwave until heated through. Allow the ricotta topping to reach room temperature before adding to reheated soup for best taste and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg