Okay, let me tell you about a game-changer: this crockpot lasagna soup. Seriously, if you ever felt like cooking was just another chore, just like I used to, this recipe is for you. I remember being completely burned out from my old job, and the kitchen was the last place I wanted to be. Dinner was always a scramble. But then, I discovered the magic of slow cooking, and it completely changed the game! This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a hug in a bowl that’s practically begging you to just toss everything in and walk away. It’s the ultimate “dump-and-go” meal, promising pure joy and soul-satisfying comfort without any of the fuss. You’re going to love how simple and delicious this is!
- Why You'll Love This Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Ingredients for Your Dump and Go Lasagna Soup
- How to Prepare This Easy Weeknight Soup
- Tips for Success with Your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
- Making Your Crockpot Lasagna Soup Ahead and Freezing
- Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Serving Suggestions for Comfort Food Soup
- Nutritional Estimate for Your Creamy Crockpot Lasagna
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Lasagna Soup
It really is a dream to make. Just brown the meat and veggies, then into the slow cooker they go! You seriously can’t beat that kind of easy. It hits the spot like nothing else – totally comforting and tastes just like your favorite lasagna, but in soup form! Plus, it’s so perfect for those busy weeknights when you just need dinner on the table without all the fuss. And guess what? It freezes beautifully, so you’ll have delicious leftovers ready to go whenever you need them.
Ingredients for Your Dump and Go Lasagna Soup
Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing crockpot lasagna soup. It’s all about simple ingredients coming together for the best comfort food:
- 1 pound Italian sausage, bulk
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Prepare This Easy Weeknight Soup
Alright, get ready because this is where the magic happens, and it’s SO easy! This recipe makes weeknight dinners feel like a breeze, I promise.
Step 1: Brown the Meats and Aromatics
First things first, let’s get some flavor going! Grab a big skillet and toss in your Italian sausage and ground beef. We want to cook these until they’re all nicely browned. Go ahead and drain off any excess grease; we’re keeping the delicious flavor, not the extra fat. Then, add your chopped onion right into the pan with the meat. Let it soften up for about 5 minutes. Once the onion is looking good, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until it’s fragrant. Give it a stir!
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Now, carefully transfer all that yummy meat and onion mixture from your skillet into your slow cooker. It’s starting to smell amazing already, right? Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes (don’t drain them!), the beef broth, and sprinkle in your dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it all a really good stir to make sure everything is happy and mixed together. This is seriously all the prep work we need to do for the base!
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Time to let the slow cooker do all the hard work! Put the lid on snugly and let it cook. You can go with low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, high heat for 3 to 4 hours works great too. This is the ultimate “set it and forget it” part, perfect for those busy days.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Ricotta Dollops
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, we’ll add a little something special to make it extra creamy. In a medium bowl, just mix together the ricotta cheese, the egg, and that grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good stir until it’s all combined. This little mix gives our soup that lovely, rich texture it needs.
Step 5: Finish and Serve Your Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Now, gently stir that creamy ricotta mixture right into your slow cooker. Let it meld into the soup for those last 30 minutes. Once it’s all heated through and delicious, ladle your amazing crockpot lasagna soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Watching that cheese melt is pure happiness right there!
Tips for Success with Your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Want to make your crockpot lasagna soup absolutely perfect? Here are a few little tricks I swear by to get the best flavor and texture. Browning the meat and onions really does make a difference – it adds so much more depth and richness than just tossing them straight in! Also, don’t skimp on stirring in that ricotta mixture at the end; it really makes everything wonderfully creamy and ties all those delicious flavors together. You’ve got this!
Making Your Crockpot Lasagna Soup Ahead and Freezing
This crockpot lasagna soup is a lifesaver for meal prep! You can totally make it a day or two ahead of time. Just let it cool down completely on the counter – I usually give it a good hour or so. Then, pour it into airtight containers. It stays delicious in the fridge for a few days, and even better, you can freeze it for up to 3 months! It’s the perfect way to have a comforting bowl of goodness ready whenever you need it, no stress required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Got questions about this amazing crockpot lasagna soup? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this a vegetarian crockpot lasagna soup?
Oh, absolutely! You can totally skip the meat. Just start by sautéing some extra veggies like diced zucchini, bell peppers, or even mushrooms in place of the sausage and beef. Then, proceed with the rest of the recipe. It’ll still be a hearty and delicious comfort food soup!
What’s the best way to store leftovers of this slow cooker lasagna soup?
For storing leftovers of this wonderful slow cooker lasagna soup, make sure it cools down pretty well first. Then, just pop it into airtight containers. It’ll keep great in the fridge for a few days, and like I mentioned, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. It reheats beautifully!
How do I make this dump and go lasagna soup even creamier?
If you’re looking for that extra creamy goodness in your dump and go lasagna soup, I’ve got a little trick! Right at the very end, before you serve, stir in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half. It adds a lovely richness that’s just dreamy. You can also stir in a little extra mozzarella or Parmesan into the soup itself!
Can I add noodles directly to the slow cooker?
That’s a great question! While you *can* add lasagna noodles directly to the slow cooker, I usually prefer not to. They can sometimes get a little mushy after simmering for so long. Instead, I cook them separately according to package directions and add them to individual bowls right before serving. This way, they stay nice and tender!
Serving Suggestions for Comfort Food Soup
This hearty crockpot lasagna soup is already a meal in itself, but a few little things can make it even more special! A basket of warm, crusty bread for dipping is absolutely mandatory in my book – it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop. You could also whip up a quick, simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to give it a fresh contrast. Or, if you’re feeling a little extra, some warm garlic bread is always a winner!
Nutritional Estimate for Your Creamy Crockpot Lasagna
Just a little heads-up – this information is an estimate, okay? Because everyone uses slightly different ingredients and brands, the actual nutritional info for your delicious creamy crockpot lasagna might vary just a bit. It’s all part of the home cooking adventure!
PrintCrockpot Lasagna Soup
A creamy and comforting lasagna soup made easily in your slow cooker. This dump-and-go recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made ahead for freezer portions.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) can ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown Italian sausage and ground beef over medium heat. Drain off excess grease.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Transfer the meat and onion mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir the ricotta mixture into the soup.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Notes
- For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream before serving.
- This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg