Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup, blending classic Italian flavors with modern kitchen ease. Layers of rich tomato, melted cheese, and tender pasta create a soul-warming meal that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Dairy Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
Main Soup Ingredients:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 12 ounces (340 grams) lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 (28-ounce / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, draining excess fat. Transfer meat to slow cooker.
- Pour beef broth and crushed tomatoes into slow cooker. Add diced onions, chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, and dried herbs including basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix ingredients thoroughly.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 5-6 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until vegetables soften and flavors develop.
- Thirty minutes before serving, break lasagna noodles into smaller pieces and add to soup. Gently stir occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking together.
- Incorporate shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese into soup, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- Distribute soup into individual serving bowls. Top each portion with a generous spoonful of ricotta cheese and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil for garnish. Accompany with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Prevent Mushy Noodles by adding lasagna noodles only in the last 30 minutes of cooking to maintain their perfect texture and avoid overcooking.
- Customize Protein Options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different dietary preferences or health needs.
- Control Spice Levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a spicier kick that suits individual heat tolerance.
- Make Ahead Friendly by preparing the soup base in advance and storing separately from noodles, then combining and heating just before serving to preserve optimal consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg