LASAGNA SOUP: SIMPLIFIED PERFECTION

Craving the comforting flavors of lasagna but dreading the multi-layered, time-consuming process? Imagine sinking your spoon into a bowl of rich, cheesy, tomatoey goodness, packed with tender noodles and savory meat. Now, stop imagining and get ready to make the EASIEST Easy Crockpot Lasagna Soup you’ve ever encountered! We’re talking maximum flavor with minimal effort, thanks to the magic of your slow cooker. Get ready to say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner!

Gathering Your Crowd-Pleasing Ingredients

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need for this culinary masterpiece. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty straightforward!

For the Hearty Soup Base:

• 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, your preference!)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 cups chicken broth (or beef broth for a richer flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup water

For the Lasagna Goodness:

• 8 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional Toppings (because toppings make everything better!):

• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• A dollop of ricotta cheese

Step-by-Step to Lasagna Soup Nirvana

Alright, let’s transform those ingredients into a bowl of pure comfort! It’s easier than you think, I promise.

Sautéing the Sausage:

1. In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants greasy soup!
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for building flavor!

Combining in the Crockpot:

1. Transfer the cooked sausage, onion, and garlic mixture to your crockpot.
2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth (or beef broth), water, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine everything.
3. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for low and slow because it really allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Adding the Noodles:

1. During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Make sure they’re submerged in the liquid so they cook evenly.
2. Continue to cook until the noodles are tender, about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking! Nobody likes mushy noodles.

Preparing the Ricotta Mixture:

1. While the noodles are cooking, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well. This is what gives the soup that authentic lasagna feel!

Serving Up the Deliciousness:

1. Remove the bay leaf from the crockpot. Nobody wants to accidentally bite into that!
2. Ladle the CROCKPOT LASAGNA SOUP into bowls.
3. Top each bowl with a spoonful of the ricotta mixture and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
4. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. This is where you can really get creative!
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Why This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is Simply the Best

Okay, I might be biased, but seriously, this recipe is a winner. Let me tell you why:

• It’s incredibly easy: Minimal prep work, hands-off cooking, and simple ingredients. What’s not to love?
• It’s packed with flavor: The combination of Italian sausage, aromatic herbs, and rich tomato sauce creates a symphony of deliciousness.
• It’s customizable: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Want more veggies? Add some chopped bell peppers or zucchini. Prefer a spicier kick? Use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. The possibilities are endless!
• It’s perfect for meal prepping: This soup reheats beautifully, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lunch leftovers.
• It’s a crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves lasagna, and this soup version is no exception. It’s guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!

Tips and Tricks for Crockpot Lasagna Soup Success

Even though this recipe is super simple, here are a few extra tips to ensure your soup turns out perfectly:

• Don’t overcook the noodles: Keep a close eye on the noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Overcooked noodles will become mushy and ruin the texture of the soup.
• Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the flavor. Opt for good quality Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
• Adjust the seasonings to your liking: Taste the soup throughout the cooking process and adjust the salt, pepper, and herbs as needed.
• Brown the sausage for maximum flavor: Don’t skip the step of browning the sausage. This adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get otherwise.
• Don’t add the cheese directly into the soup: Adding shredded cheese directly into the crockpot will make it clumpy and messy. Instead, top each bowl with cheese just before serving.

Variations to Make It Your Own

This LASAGNA SOUP recipe is fantastic as is, but feel free to experiment and make it your own! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Omit the sausage and add extra vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini.
• Spicy Lasagna Soup: Use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Creamy Lasagna Soup: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last 15 minutes of cooking time.
• Add Different Meats: Ground beef or even shredded chicken would work wonderfully in this soup.
• Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses! Provolone, Asiago, or even a little bit of goat cheese would add a unique flavor.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

This Easy Crockpot Lasagna Soup is a meal in itself, but here are a few serving suggestions to make it even more special:

• Serve with a side of crusty bread: Perfect for soaking up all that delicious broth!
• Pair it with a simple salad: A light and refreshing salad will balance out the richness of the soup.
• Offer a variety of toppings: Let your guests customize their bowls with different toppings, such as fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, and croutons.

Beyond Lasagna Soup: Other Comforting Soup Recipes

If you loved this Easy Crockpot Lasagna Soup, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite soup recipes. I’m a big soup fan, in case you couldn’t tell! For another Italian-inspired delight, try this hearty SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP! Or, if you’re craving something totally different, check out this surprisingly delicious CHEESEBURGER SOUP RECIPE. And if you’re looking for more slow cooker magic, be sure to check out this Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna for another easy and satisfying dinner option.

So there you have it! An incredibly easy and delicious Crockpot Lasagna Soup recipe that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Now, go forth and create some soup magic!

Lasagna Soup: Simplified Perfection

Amelia Chen-Morrison

Enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna in a hearty soup form with this easy crockpot recipe. This simplified version offers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian-American

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Spoon
• Crockpot (slow cooker)
• Medium bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ladle
• Bowls

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Italian sausage sweet or hot
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth or beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup water
• 8 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves optional
• Extra Parmesan cheese optional
• A dollop of ricotta cheese optional

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked sausage, onion, and garlic mixture to your crockpot.
• Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth (or beef broth), water, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine everything.
• Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Make sure they’re submerged in the liquid.
• Continue to cook until the noodles are tender, about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• While the noodles are cooking, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Remove the bay leaf from the crockpot.
• Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls.
• Top each bowl with a spoonful of the ricotta mixture and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use high-quality Italian sausage and crushed tomatoes. To prevent the cheese from clumping, avoid adding shredded cheese directly into the crockpot. Instead, top each bowl with cheese just before serving. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This soup can also be frozen for longer storage. Thaw completely before reheating. Feel free to customize the soup by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For a spicier kick, use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.