There’s nothing quite like a big, steamy bowl of Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup—it’s your favorite Italian classic transformed into an ultra-cozy, one-pot comfort meal. This hearty soup delivers all the saucy, cheesy, noodle-filled goodness of traditional lasagna, but with a fraction of the fuss, thanks to the magic of slow cooking. Whether you’re yearning for belly-warming weeknight comfort or an easy crowd-pleaser for a casual gathering, this recipe brings vibrant Italian flavors to your table with minimal effort but maximum deliciousness.

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup lies in its simple, familiar ingredients, each playing its part to create layers of deep, comforting flavor. You probably have most of these in your pantry or fridge already, but it’s the way they work together—rich meats, fragrant herbs, and three kinds of cheese!—that turns this into a standout bowl.

Ground beef or Italian sausage: Provides a savory, satisfying base—use sausage for extra flavor or ground beef for a classic touch.
Onion (chopped): Lends sweetness and aromatic depth as it cooks down with the meat.
Garlic (minced): Adds a punch of bold Italian flair that perfumes the soup.
Crushed tomatoes: Bring vibrant acidity and classic tomato richness to the base.
Tomato sauce: Helps create a silky texture and rounds out the soup’s flavor.
Beef or chicken broth: Infuses the soup with a meaty, savory undertone—either works well here!
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano and thyme gives unmistakable Italian flavor.
Dried basil: Adds a sweet, slightly peppery note that brightens each spoonful.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all those wonderful flavors together.
Sugar: Just a teaspoon—it balances out the acidity from the tomatoes for that perfect mellow finish.
Lasagna noodles (broken): Classic thick, ruffled noodles hold up beautifully in soup and deliver that authentic lasagna bite.
Ricotta cheese: Creamy and luscious, it gives you the beloved cheesiness you expect from lasagna.
Mozzarella cheese (shredded): Melts into gooey perfection for each bowl.
Parmesan cheese (grated): Adds a nutty finish and a salty hit to the cheese topping.
Fresh basil or parsley (chopped): Scattered on top for a burst of color and freshness.

How to Make Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Aromatics

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and the chopped onion, breaking up the meat as it browns. Once the mixture is nicely golden and fragrant, stir in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute. This quick sauté adds incredible depth to your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup right from the beginning. Drain off any excess fat so your finished soup isn’t greasy.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base in the Slow Cooker

Transfer the browned meat, onion, and garlic right into your slow cooker. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth—here’s where all the flavors start mingling! Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the pan, then cover your slow cooker and set it to cook. Let this aromatic mixture bubble away on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. The simmering time is what lets those classic lasagna flavors marry and deepen.

Step 3: Add the Lasagna Noodles

About 30 minutes before serving, break your lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them right into the pot. They’ll soak up all the savory tomato broth and cook to the perfect tender bite, just like in a classic layered lasagna. Give everything a good mix, pop the lid back on, and wait for the noodles to become silky and toothsome.

Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Topping

While the noodles soften, mix up the cheese trio: in a bowl, combine the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. This blend is key to getting that signature creamy, melty “lasagna” experience in every bowl of your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. It’s ready to dollop as soon as the soup finishes!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, then top each one with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture. Finish with a flourish of chopped fresh basil or parsley for color and freshness. Each bowl is like a deconstructed slice of lasagna, bubbling with hearty flavor and crowned with melty cheese—pure comfort in a spoon.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Garnishes

A final sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley brings brightness and an irresistible freshness to your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dusting of extra Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil for that restaurant-worthy finish.

Side Dishes

This soup is perfectly satisfying on its own, but a side of warm, crusty bread is practically mandatory for soaking up every last drop. If you want to round out your meal, serve with a simple green salad tossed in a zippy vinaigrette or a small plate of roasted vegetables to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party twist, set out bowls of garnishes—extra cheeses, chopped herbs, or a scatter of crushed red pepper—and let everyone build their own perfect bowl. Or, serve in mini soup mugs with garlic bread “dippers” for a playful appetizer. However you present it, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup cool completely, then spoon it into airtight containers. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, making it a fantastic option for meal-prep or quick lunches—if it lasts that long!

Freezing

To freeze, let the soup cool and then freeze it (without the cheese topping) in freezer-safe containers or bags. The noodles may soften a bit more after thawing, but the flavors stay bold and delicious. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Gently reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or microwave individual portions until piping hot. Stir the soup as it heats to keep the noodles from sticking, and top each bowl with fresh cheese mixture and herbs just before serving for the best results.

FAQs

Can I use oven-ready noodles for this soup?

Absolutely! Oven-ready lasagna noodles cut down on cook time and work perfectly in Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup—just add them about 20 minutes before serving and watch them closely for doneness.

Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

You can easily swap out the meat for a plant-based ground or sautéed mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken. All the hearty flavors remain, and it’s still a wonderfully satisfying soup!

What’s the best way to prevent mushy noodles?

Only add the noodles about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve—the hot broth will cook them just right. Overcooking or reheating the soup multiple times can make noodles softer, but a gentle hand keeps that perfect chewy texture.

Can I prepare Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup in advance?

Yes! You can fully cook the soup base ahead of time, refrigerate, and then simply reheat and add the noodles when you’re almost ready to eat. The cheese topping can be mixed a day in advance, too.

What cheeses work best if I’m out of ricotta?

If ricotta isn’t handy, creamy cottage cheese or even a little mascarpone make great substitutes. Just be sure to stick with mozzarella and Parmesan for that authentic stretchy, melty lasagna experience in your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup.

Final Thoughts

Gather your slow cooker, those simple classic ingredients, and prepare to fall in love with this ultimate Italian comfort bowl. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is a true kitchen hero for hectic weeknights, chilly Sundays, or anytime you crave coziness—give it a try and watch it become a new favorite in your home!

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup recipe offers all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a comforting, hearty soup. Perfect for a cozy family meal, this easy-to-make soup is a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
4 cups beef or chicken broth
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

For the Cheese Mixture:

1 cup ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Garnish:

Chopped fresh basil or parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage with the chopped onion until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Drain any excess fat.
Combine Ingredients: Transfer the meat mixture to the slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
Add Noodles: About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles to the slow cooker, stir, and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top each serving with a spoonful of the cheese mixture, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley.