Description
Hearty slow cooker lasagna soup brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of rich flavor. Creamy ricotta and melted cheese crown this one-pot wonder, promising delicious satisfaction for hungry families seeking a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or ground beef, or a 50/50 blend)
Liquid Base and Tomato Components:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) pasta sauce (or marinara)
- 14.5 ounces (411 grams) petite diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon (optional, or Better Than Bouillon beef base)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Herbs, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- 12 ounces lasagna noodles
- 12 cups baby leaf spinach (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat by heating a skillet over medium temperature. Crumble the Italian sausage, cooking until nearly browned. Add minced garlic during the final minute of cooking to preserve its robust flavor. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker, draining excess grease if necessary.
- Create the soup foundation by combining pasta sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning in the slow cooker. Pour in beef broth and optional bouillon, stirring thoroughly. Cover and set slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Approach the final stages by breaking lasagna noodles into rustic pieces directly into the soup during the last cooking hour. Incorporate heavy cream and optional spinach. Continue cooking on high for 30-45 minutes until noodles reach desired tenderness.
- Craft the cheese blend by mixing ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and basil in a separate bowl. This mixture will provide a luxurious, melting garnish for the soup.
- Serve the soup in individual bowls, generously topping each portion with the prepared cheese mixture. Allow the cheese to slightly melt, creating a decadent, creamy layer that enhances the soup’s overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or plant-based crumbles for diverse dietary preferences without compromising flavor profile.
- Adjust heavy cream quantity based on desired richness; use half-and-half or milk for lighter versions without losing creaminess.
- Break lasagna noodles into smaller, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easier eating experience in the soup.
- Replace beef broth with vegetable broth and eliminate meat for a complete vegetarian meal that maintains robust taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hour (on high) or 8 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg