Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

If you’re craving all the cozy, hearty vibes of lasagna but not in the mood to layer noodles and cheese for hours, we might just have a winner here. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is like lasagna’s easy-going cousin who shows up with all the tasty layers but without any fuss.

It’s warm, comforting, and basically a hug in a bowl that cooks itself while you do, well, pretty much anything else.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off cooking with big flavor. Throw everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a bubbling, cheesy, meaty lasagna soup that tastes like you spent all day fussing over it. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you just don’t want to babysit a stove.

Comfort food, but in soup form. All the classic flavors of lasagna—ricotta, tomato, ground beef, and herbs—get cozy in a broth that’s warm and soothing. It’s like mom’s lasagna decided to get a little comfy and chill out in a bowl instead of the oven.

Super customizable. Whether you want it spicy, veggie-loaded, or extra cheesy, this recipe adjusts easily. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some greens if you’re feeling fancy or trying to balance out that cheese fest.

Ingredient Notes

• Ground Beef: This recipe calls for ground beef for that classic meaty base. If you’re watching the red meat, substitute with ground turkey or chicken—no biggie—and still get that rich flavor.
• Pasta Sauce: The pasta sauce brings rich, savory flavor and a velvety tomato base to the lasagna soup, tying together the pasta, cheese, and meat in every comforting spoonful.
• Lasagna Noodles: Broken into bite-sized pieces, these add the pasta element without the hassle of layering. No noodles? Pasta shells or even broken up macaroni can step in.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy richness and helps replicate those lasagna layers. Cottage cheese is a decent stand-in if ricotta isn’t in your fridge.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts wonderfully into the soup giving that gooey, cheesy feel. Provolone or even a mild cheddar works if mozzarella is on the outs.
• Italian Seasoning: This magical combo of herbs sets the tone. If you don’t have a pre-mixed blend, just mix together dried basil, oregano, thyme, and a little rosemary.
• Garlic and Onion: Fresh always wins here for flavor, but garlic and onion powders will do if you’re low on fresh supplies.

Kitchen Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Large Skillet (for browning meat)(large nonstick skillet is great)
• Mixing Spoon
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Ladle and Soup Bowls
• Airtight container for leftovers
• Large pot or Dutch oven for heating leftovers

How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

1. In a preheated skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Season with 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, then drain any excess grease if needed.
2. Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker along with the beef broth, pasta sauce, tomato paste, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
4. Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the soup. Continue cooking with the lid on until the noodles are tender, about 30 minutes.
5. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with ricotta, shredded mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh parsley. Pair with garlic bread, croutons, crusty bread, or breadsticks. Add extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.

Variations and Substitutions

Skip the Meat: Use mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based ground meat substitute to make this totally vegetarian but still hearty.

Extra Veggies: Add chopped zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach toward the end of cooking for a veggie boost.

Spicy Kick: Throw in crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños if you like some heat.

Cheesy Overload: Top each bowl with extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before serving for the cheese lovers.

Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk ricotta or cheese alternatives to keep it creamy without dairy.

Change it up: Try making this hearty soup with fire-roasted tomatoes, a different kind of pasta, spaghetti sauce, or rich tomato sauce, chicken stock, a pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh spinach (or baby spinach), a splash of heavy cream, chopped red bell pepper, Italian sausage, chicken sausage, marinara sauce, olive oil, onion powder, or your favorite parmesan cheese. Any of these substitutions or additions would be great in this easy lasagna soup recipe.

Storage

Storing:
Keep leftover soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in a sealed container. Stir before reheating to redistribute flavors and noodles.

Freezing:
Let the soup cool completely and transfer to airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the texture smooth.

How To Reheat

Microwave Method
Place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. This quick method is great when you’re hungry now, but the noodles might be a tad softer.

Stovetop Method
Heat soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Warm until it’s simmering gently, which helps keep the noodles from getting overly mushy.

Slow Cooker Method
If you have extra time, reheat the soup in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to warm evenly.

Flavor Boosters

Add Fresh Basil at the End
Fresh basil stirred in just before serving brightens the soup and adds an herbaceous pop that complements the tomato base beautifully.

Use Roasted Garlic
Replace raw garlic with roasted garlic for a mellow, slightly sweet depth that plays well with the slow cooker’s long cook time.

Splash of Red Wine
A little bit of red wine added during cooking adds complexity and richness to the tomato broth, kind of like a secret little adult twist.

Parmesan Rind Simmered In
Throw in a Parmesan rind while the soup cooks for an extra umami punch that’s subtle but definitely noticeable.

Bay Leaves
Pop in a couple of bay leaves early on for a background warmth that’s classic in Italian dishes.

Best Dessert Pairings

• Classic Italian Biscotti – Crunchy and perfect for dipping into coffee or dessert wine after your meal.
• Gelato – Pick a light flavor like lemon or strawberry to cleanse the palate with something sweet but not heavy.
• Affogato – A shot of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream—simple, delicious, and a nice pick-me-up after a comforting meal.
• Ricotta and Honey on Toast – Keep things light with this sweet and creamy Italian-inspired snack to satisfy dessert cravings.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread – Serve on slices of fresh bread or crackers for an easy sweet treat that feels indulgent but isn’t over the top.

Troubleshooting

• Noodles Too Mushy – Use no-boil noodles or break regular noodles into smaller pieces. Avoid stirring too much during cooking to keep noodles intact and prevent mushiness.
• Soup Too Watery – If your soup looks too thin, uncover the slow cooker for the last 30 minutes to let some liquid evaporate. You can also add a small amount of tomato paste to thicken.
• Cheese Not Melting Well – Add the cheese in the last 30 minutes or just before serving to prevent overcooking. Shred your mozzarella fresh rather than using pre-shredded for better melt.
• Flavor Too Bland – Gradually add salt and herbs toward the end of cooking and taste frequently. A squeeze of lemon juice or dash of hot sauce can also wake up the flavors.
• Meat Lumps – Break up the meat well while browning to avoid big clumps in the soup. Stir the beef mixture thoroughly before adding it to the slow cooker.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes, using the sauté function to brown meat and then slow cooking on low pressure works great. Just adjust the cooking times since the Instant Pot heats faster.

Is it okay to add noodles from the start?

Not really; they tend to get too mushy. Add noodles halfway through or toward the end for the best texture.

Can I prepare this soup a day ahead?

Absolutely, it tastes even better the next day. Just keep the noodles separate if possible and add them when reheating.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without the noodles getting gummy?

Reheat gently and consider adding a little water or broth to loosen up the texture.

Can I freeze this soup with the cheese mixed in?

It’s better to add cheese fresh when reheating to keep it melty and fresh rather than rubbery or separated.

If you love this slow cooker dinner recipe, you’re going to love these other Crockpot dinner recipes, too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Soups to Try

23 Cozy Fall Soups To Warm You Up On A Chilly Day

Cabbage Roll Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Beer Cheese Soup

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