Description
This slow cooker lasagna soup transforms classic lasagna into a warm, hearty bowl of comfort. Made with seasoned ground meat, rich marinara, tender noodles, and three kinds of cheese, this one-pot meal is simple to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional for lean meat)
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (use turkey for lighter option)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Combine ingredients: Add cooked meat to the slow cooker. Stir in onion, garlic, broth, marinara, diced tomatoes, and all seasonings. Mix well.
- Cook: Cover and set the slow cooker to Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
- Add noodles: About 30 minutes before cooking ends, stir in broken lasagna noodles. Replace lid and cook until noodles are tender.
- Finish the soup: Stir in balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top with mozzarella, ricotta, and chopped parsley or basil.
Notes
- Storage: Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- Freezing Tip: Leave noodles out if freezing, and add freshly cooked ones when reheating.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the meat for lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
- Creamier Version: Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk just before serving.
- Spice It Up: Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Cuisine: Italian-American
