This Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup combines the rich, comforting flavors of classic lasagna with the ease of a slow-cooked soup. Italian sausage, marinara, and broken lasagna noodles come together in a warm and hearty broth, topped with creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella for the ultimate comfort dish.
Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, this soup delivers all the satisfaction of lasagna with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal that will keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Full Recipe:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Directions:
- In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove and drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Transfer the cooked sausage, onions, and garlic to a slow cooker.
- Add the chicken broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Cook until the noodles are tender.
- Serve each bowl with a dollop of ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Garnish with fresh basil.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 hours | Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
More About Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is a delightful twist on the traditional lasagna, offering all the rich flavors of the classic Italian dish in a warm, comforting soup form. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients:
- Italian Sausage: Adds a savory, meaty depth to the soup, providing the robust flavor that is the cornerstone of this dish. You can use mild or hot sausage depending on your preference.
- Lasagna Noodles: Broken into bite-sized pieces, the noodles cook directly in the broth, absorbing all the delicious flavors and creating a true lasagna experience.
- Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan Cheese: The trio of cheeses gives this soup its creamy, cheesy richness. The ricotta adds a luxurious texture, while the mozzarella melts into the broth, and the Parmesan adds a sharp, salty finish.
- Marinara Sauce and Diced Tomatoes: These ingredients form the tomato-based broth, infusing the soup with the rich, tangy flavor characteristic of traditional lasagna.
- Onions, Garlic, and Herbs: These aromatics and seasonings (basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes) elevate the dish, adding layers of flavor that make the soup so irresistible.
Cooking Method:
The beauty of this recipe lies in the slow cooker method. By allowing the ingredients to simmer slowly over several hours, the flavors meld together beautifully, creating a deeply flavorful soup with minimal effort. The sausage is browned beforehand to enhance its flavor, and the onions and garlic are sautéed until tender, providing a flavorful base. The slow cooker then takes over, making this a low-maintenance dish that you can set and forget.
Serving Suggestions:
This soup is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways:
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
- Salad: Pair it with a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
- Toppings: Add extra toppings like fresh basil, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat, or a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal prep and uses simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
- Comforting: Perfect for cold weather, this soup is warming, hearty, and satisfying.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a great dish for feeding a crowd, and kids especially love the cheesy, tomato-rich flavors.
Variations:
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage with a plant-based alternative or increase the amount of vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage.
Perfect for Any Occasion:
Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, need a quick weeknight meal, or want something comforting for a cozy night in, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is an ideal choice. It’s a dish that pleases everyone, offering all the beloved flavors of lasagna in a convenient, easy-to-eat format.
The Appeal of Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
A Modern Comfort Food Classic: Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup has become a favorite among home cooks for good reason. It takes all the beloved elements of lasagna—hearty meat, savory tomato sauce, tender pasta, and creamy cheese—and transforms them into a comforting, easy-to-make soup. This dish is a perfect example of how traditional recipes can be adapted for modern lifestyles without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
Healthier Alternative: Compared to traditional lasagna, this soup version can be a lighter option. By using chicken broth as the base and controlling the amount of cheese added, you can enjoy the rich flavors of lasagna with fewer calories and less fat. Additionally, the soup is packed with protein from the sausage and cheese, making it a nourishing meal that will keep you full and satisfied.
Customizable for Dietary Preferences: One of the best things about Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is its versatility. Whether you’re cooking for a vegetarian, someone who is gluten-free, or a family member with specific dietary needs, this recipe can be easily adapted. You can swap out the meat for a plant-based alternative, use gluten-free noodles, or even add more vegetables to increase the nutritional content.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup is also an excellent candidate for meal prep. You can make a large batch, and it will keep well in the refrigerator for several days. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after a day or two, making it a great make-ahead meal. It also freezes well, so you can portion it out and have a hearty meal ready whenever you need it.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Choosing the Right Sausage: The choice of sausage is key to the flavor of this soup. Italian sausage, whether mild or hot, adds a lot of depth. If you prefer a lighter option, you could use turkey sausage, which is lower in fat but still flavorful. Some even enjoy using a mix of sweet and hot sausage for a balanced taste.
Don’t Overcook the Noodles: One important tip when making this soup is to add the broken lasagna noodles toward the end of the cooking process. This prevents them from becoming too soft or mushy. Typically, about 20-30 minutes before the soup is finished cooking is the perfect time to add the noodles, ensuring they are tender but still hold their shape.
Enhancing the Flavor: For an extra boost of flavor, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes. They add a subtle smokiness that pairs beautifully with the Italian sausage. Additionally, if you’re a garlic lover, you can increase the number of garlic cloves or even add a dash of garlic powder to the broth.
Serving in Style: Presentation can take this dish from a simple weeknight meal to a dinner-party-worthy course. Serve the soup in wide, shallow bowls, which allow the cheese to spread evenly over the top. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley not only adds a burst of color but also a fresh, herbal note that complements the rich flavors of the soup.
Pairing Suggestions: To round out the meal, consider serving the soup with a side of Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. For drinks, a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a crisp Italian soda would pair nicely with the robust flavors of the soup.
The Origins of Lasagna Soup
Inspired by Italian Tradition: While Lasagna Soup is a modern invention, it draws directly from the rich culinary traditions of Italy. Lasagna, with its layers of pasta, meat, sauce, and cheese, has been a staple of Italian cuisine for centuries. This soup version honors that heritage while making the dish more accessible and easier to prepare in a busy kitchen.
The Rise of Comfort Food: In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward comfort food, especially in the form of hearty soups and stews that are easy to make and deeply satisfying. Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is a perfect example of this trend, combining the warmth and comfort of a traditional lasagna with the convenience of slow cooker cooking.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is a testament to the fact that comfort food can be both delicious and convenient. By transforming the classic lasagna into a warm, hearty soup, this recipe offers a fresh take on a beloved dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. Its versatility allows you to customize it to your dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that everyone at the table can enjoy a satisfying meal.
Whether you’re looking for a dish to warm you up on a cold day, a make-ahead meal that the whole family will love, or simply a new way to enjoy the flavors of lasagna, this soup is an excellent choice. Easy to prepare, full of rich flavors, and endlessly adaptable, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Serve it with a side of crusty bread, a simple salad, and a glass of your favorite wine for a complete and comforting meal that’s bound to impress.