This crockpot lasagna soup brings all the comforting flavors of traditional lasagna into a warm, hearty bowl of soup. With rich tomato broth, tender pasta, seasoned meat, and a creamy three-cheese topping, it’s the perfect slow cooker meal for busy days when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe transforms the classic layered pasta dish into a cozy and comforting soup that’s incredibly easy to prepare. The slow cooker does most of the work, allowing the ingredients to simmer together and develop deep, rich flavors.
It’s also perfect for family dinners because it makes generous portions and is packed with hearty ingredients that keep everyone full. The creamy cheese topping melts into the hot soup, creating the same indulgent taste you expect from traditional lasagna.
Another reason to love this recipe is how customizable it is. You can easily adjust the ingredients, swap proteins, add vegetables, or even change the pasta type while still keeping that classic lasagna flavor.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Lasagna soup
1 pound mild Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup tomato paste
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
12 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
½ cup heavy cream
Cheese topping
8 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Directions
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned. Drain the excess grease and transfer the cooked meat into a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, tomato paste, beef broth, and diced tomatoes into the slow cooker with the cooked meat. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to blend together.
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the soup along with the heavy cream. Continue cooking until the noodles become tender.
While the noodles finish cooking, prepare the cheese topping by combining ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and add a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture on top before serving.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours (on high) or 6 to 8 hours (on low)
Total time: about 4 hours 15 minutes
Variations
One easy variation is replacing the ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey for a lighter version of the soup. The flavor remains rich while reducing some of the fat content.
You can also add vegetables such as diced zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, or spinach to make the soup more nutritious and colorful.
If you enjoy a smoky flavor, try using smoked mozzarella cheese in the topping. It adds a deeper and more complex taste.
For a low-carb option, replace the lasagna noodles with zucchini noodles or a low-carb pasta alternative.
If you prefer a spicier soup, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy Italian sausage alternative.
Storage/Reheating
To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place the soup in freezer-safe containers and freeze it for up to 3 months. If you plan to freeze the soup, it’s best to leave out the noodles and cheese topping until reheating.
To reheat refrigerated soup, warm it in a saucepan over medium heat while stirring occasionally until heated through. If the soup thickens too much, add a small amount of broth to loosen it.
Frozen soup should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stove.
FAQs
Can I make crockpot lasagna soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup is great for meal prep. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors often become even better the next day.
How do I prevent the noodles from becoming mushy?
Add the noodles during the final 30 minutes of cooking. This prevents them from overcooking and becoming too soft.
Can I use different pasta instead of lasagna noodles?
Yes, you can substitute other pasta shapes such as rotini, penne, or bowtie pasta if lasagna noodles are not available.
Can I cook the pasta separately?
Yes, cooking the pasta separately and adding it when serving can help keep the texture perfect, especially if you plan to store leftovers.
Can this recipe be made on the stovetop?
Yes, simply simmer all the ingredients in a large pot for about 30 to 40 minutes, then add the noodles and cook until tender.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, you can omit the heavy cream and cheese topping or replace them with dairy-free alternatives.
What vegetables go well in lasagna soup?
Zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers work very well and blend nicely with the tomato base.
How thick should lasagna soup be?
The soup should be hearty but still have a broth-like consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a little extra broth.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients if your slow cooker is large enough, making it perfect for gatherings or meal prep.
What toppings can I add besides the cheese mixture?
Fresh basil, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra parmesan cheese make excellent finishing touches.
Conclusion
Crockpot lasagna soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the rich taste of classic lasagna with the ease of a slow cooker meal. With tender pasta, savory meat, and a creamy three-cheese topping, it delivers all the satisfaction of traditional lasagna in a warm bowl of soup. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, meal prep, or a cozy night in, this recipe is simple, hearty, and sure to become a favorite.
A comforting slow cooker soup inspired by classic lasagna, featuring seasoned beef and sausage in a rich tomato broth with tender pasta and a creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese topping.
Total Time:4 hours 15 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Ingredients
1 pound mild Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup tomato paste
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
12 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
½ cup heavy cream
8 ounces ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking the meat apart as it cooks until fully browned.
Drain excess grease and transfer the cooked meat to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, tomato paste, beef broth, and diced tomatoes to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
About 30 minutes before cooking is finished, stir in the broken lasagna noodles and heavy cream.
Continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and parmesan cheese to prepare the cheese topping.
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with a spoonful of the cheese mixture before serving.
Notes
Add vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or carrots for extra nutrition.
Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef for a lighter version.
For a spicier soup, add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
If freezing the soup, cook and store it without the noodles and cheese topping, then add them when reheating.
If the soup becomes too thick, add additional beef broth to loosen the consistency.
