Description
Hearty crock pot lasagna soup delivers Italian comfort in a bowl, blending classic lasagna flavors with easy slow cooker convenience. Cheese-topped layers create a comforting meal that welcomes you to savor each spoonful of rich, meaty goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 can (28 oz/794 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz/170 g) tomato paste
- 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ tsps Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) water (if needed, for extra broth)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Garlic bread on the side
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground meat with onions in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, draining excess fat completely.
- Flavor Infusion: Add minced garlic to the meat mixture and sauté briefly to intensify aromatic profiles.
- Crock Pot Assembly: Transfer seasoned meat blend into the crock pot, combining crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and simmer on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop deep, rich characteristics.
- Noodle Integration: During the final 30 minutes, break lasagna noodles into bite-sized fragments and gently incorporate into the soup, ensuring even distribution and preventing overcrowding.
- Cheese Topping Preparation: Blend ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a separate bowl to create a luxurious, creamy garnish.
- Serving Finale: Ladle piping hot soup into individual bowls, crown with the prepared cheese mixture, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Accompany with warm garlic bread for a complete, comforting meal experience.
Notes
- Meat Precision: Brown ground meat completely to eliminate any pink, which ensures food safety and rich, caramelized flavor profiles.
- Seasoning Strategy: Layer Italian seasonings gradually to build depth, allowing herbs to release maximum aromatic compounds during slow cooking.
- Noodle Timing: Add lasagna noodles only during final 30 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal pasta texture without becoming mushy.
- Cheese Topping Technique: Prepare cheese mixture separately and add just before serving to preserve fresh, creamy consistency and prevent separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg