Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Imagine being able to savour all the rich, cheesy, and comforting flavours of a classic lasagna without any of the intricate layering or lengthy baking. It might seem too good to be true, but we’re here to show you it’s a delightful reality. We’d like to introduce you to the ultimate one-pot marvel: our magnificent Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. This recipe beautifully captures the essence of a traditional lasagna—the savoury mince, the zesty tomato sauce, the creamy cheese, and the tender pasta—and reimagines it as a wonderfully hearty soup that virtually cooks itself. It’s our perfect remedy for a chilly evening, a hectic weeknight, or any moment you’re in need of a comforting hug in a bowl.

We’ve created this recipe to be exceptionally straightforward, allowing your slow cooker to handle all the heavy lifting. All you need to do is brown the mince, add all the ingredients to the pot, and then let the magic unfold. A few hours later, you will be met with the captivating aroma of a rich, bubbling soup, all set to be garnished with a dollop of creamy ricotta and a generous helping of mozzarella. Let’s get started!

Why We Absolutely Adore This Lasagna Soup Recipe

This is more than just another soup recipe; it’s a revelation for midweek meals. We find ourselves returning to it time and again, and here are a few of the reasons we think you will fall in love with it too:

• Wonderfully Simple & Convenient: After briefly browning the mince, your slow cooker takes charge. It’s truly a “set it and forget it” kind of meal, giving you more freedom to enjoy your evening while it cooks.
• A True One-Pot Meal: As everything cooks together in the slow cooker, it means there’s hardly any washing up to do. That’s a definite plus in our book!
• Deep, Rich Flavour: Cooking low and slow allows the flavours of the tomatoes, herbs, and mince to meld together perfectly, resulting in a sauce with remarkable depth.
• A Hit with the Whole Family: It’s a meal that’s sure to be popular with children and adults alike. It’s fun, delicious, and a comforting dish that brings everyone together.
• Ideal for Batch Cooking: This soup tastes even more delicious the following day and it freezes exceptionally well, making it a superb option for meal prepping.

Ingredients for Our Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

To bring this culinary creation to life, you’ll only need a few straightforward, wholesome ingredients. This blend is what builds that authentic lasagna flavour we all know and cherish. Here is what you will need to get together:

• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for browning the mince.
• Lean Beef Mince: 500g (about 1lb). You could also use Italian sausage or a combination of the two.
• Onion: 1 large, finely chopped.
• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced.
• Dried Oregano: 2 teaspoons.
• Dried Basil: 2 teaspoons.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste.
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, freshly ground.
• Chopped Tomatoes: 1 can (400g).
• Tomato Passata: 500g (or tomato purée).
• Beef or Chicken Broth: 1.5 litres (about 6 cups). Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative.
• Lasagna Sheets: 8-10 sheets, broken into bite-sized pieces.
• For the Cheesy Topping:
  • Ricotta Cheese: 250g.
  • Grated Mozzarella Cheese: 150g.
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese: 50g.
  • Fresh Parsley or Basil: Chopped, for garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Delicious Lasagna Soup

And now for the best bit! Just follow these easy steps to create a perfect crockpot lasagna soup recipe that is sure to have everyone wanting more.

1. Brown the Mince: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef mince or sausage meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.

2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, and basil, and cook for another minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.

3. Transfer to the Slow Cooker: Move the cooked mince and onion mixture into the bowl of your slow cooker. Add the chopped tomatoes, passata, and broth. Season with salt and pepper, then stir everything well to combine.

4. Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully. This slow, gentle cooking process is crucial for developing a truly deep and rich flavour.
5. Cook the Pasta: Roughly 30 minutes before you plan to serve, stir the broken pieces of lasagna sheets directly into the soup. Switch the slow cooker to its high setting (if it’s not already) and let the pasta cook until it’s perfectly tender (al dente), which typically takes 20-30 minutes.
6. Prepare the Topping: As the pasta cooks, prepare your cheesy topping. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta with half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the hot, comforting soup into individual bowls and serve immediately. Finish each one with a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture, a scattering of the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. For the perfect finishing touch, serve immediately with crusty garlic bread on the side—ideal for dipping into that rich, flavorful soup!

Tips for the Perfect Lasagna Soup

Having prepared this recipe on many occasions, we’ve learned a few things that help guarantee perfect results every time. Here are our best tips for success.

Choosing Your Meat

While lean beef mince is the traditional choice, we encourage you to experiment! Using a high-quality Italian sausage (with the casings removed) imparts a fantastic depth of flavour from its herbs and spices. A 50/50 blend of beef and sausage is our personal favourite. For a lighter dish, turkey or chicken mince also works beautifully.

The Best Pasta for the Job

Broken lasagna sheets lend this soup its classic appearance and texture. However, should you not have any to hand, you can easily swap them for other robust pasta shapes such as mafalda, penne, or fusilli. For the ideal texture, it’s best to add the pasta toward the end of the cooking time so it stays perfectly tender and doesn’t turn mushy.

It’s the creamy, cheesy topping that truly elevates this soup, adding a rich and indulgent finishing touch. We really recommend you don’t miss this step! The cool, creamy dollop of ricotta melts into the hot, savoury broth, creating irresistible pockets of cheesy delight. Pre-mixing it with mozzarella and Parmesan adds extra flavour and a wonderfully gooey, melted finish.

Customisations and Variations

One of the greatest things about this easy lasagna soup is its versatility. You can easily adjust it to match your personal taste or to make use of ingredients you already have in the kitchen.

Make it Spicy

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes at the same time as the other dried herbs. You could also opt for a spicy Italian sausage to introduce another layer of warmth.

Pack in More Veggies

This is a great opportunity to add extra vegetables for more nutrition. Diced carrots, celery, courgette, or peppers can be added with the onion right at the start. A couple of large handfuls of fresh spinach stirred in at the very end until it wilts is also a fantastic addition.

What to Serve With Your Soup

This soup is a substantial meal in itself, but in our household, serving it with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread is essential for dipping! A crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette makes a refreshing, vibrant contrast to the richness of the main dish. And for pudding, why not continue the comfort food theme? A slice of our classic Banana Bread makes a surprisingly perfect partner to complete the meal. If you fancy another simple but delicious treat, our 4-Ingredient Banana Bread is a must-try.

Storing and Reheating Your Lasagna Soup

This soup makes wonderful leftovers, though it’s key to store it properly to maintain its quality.

• Refrigerating: Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bear in mind the pasta will continue to soak up liquid as it sits, causing the soup to thicken.
• Freezing: For optimal texture, it’s best to freeze the soup before stirring in the pasta, as noodles can become too soft when thawed and reheated. Prepare the soup base according to the directions, allow it to cool, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months. When you wish to eat it, simply thaw the base, reheat it on the hob, and cook your pasta fresh to add to your bowl.
• Reheating: Warm the soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the hob, stirring occasionally until heated through. You will probably need to add a splash more broth or water to loosen it to the consistency you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I prepare this recipe on the stovetop?

Of course! Simply follow the same method but use a large Dutch oven or stockpot instead. After browning the mince and sautéing the onions and garlic, add the liquids and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat, pop on a lid, and allow it to simmer for at least 45-60 minutes so the flavours can fully develop before you add the pasta.

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Yes, certainly. They generally cook a little quicker than regular lasagna sheets, so we’d recommend checking if they are done after about 15-20 minutes to prevent them from becoming too soft.

How can I make this vegetarian or vegan?

To create a vegetarian lasagna soup recipe, just leave out the meat and use a hearty alternative like brown or green lentils, chopped mushrooms, or your preferred plant-based mince. Remember to use vegetable broth. For a vegan-friendly dish, use a plant-based mince and switch the cheesy topping for a vegan ricotta and mozzarella alternative.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

As it’s written, this recipe contains gluten because of the pasta. However, you can make it gluten-free with no trouble at all by using your favourite brand of gluten-free lasagna sheets or another type of gluten-free pasta.

Why is my soup too thick/thin?

The final consistency can change based on how much liquid the pasta soaks up. If the soup is thicker than you’d like, simply add a bit more broth and stir until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s a bit thinner than you’d like, you can let it simmer without the lid for a while to reduce, or mix a tablespoon of cornflour with a little cold water and stir that in to thicken it up.

The herbs are absolutely vital for achieving that authentic Italian taste. Fresh basil really elevates the finished dish, but the dried herbs perform brilliantly in the slow cooker. If you’re interested in learning more about fresh versus dried herbs, this guide from BBC Good Food is an excellent resource.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Comfort Meal Awaits

We feel certain that this Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is destined to become a firm favourite in your household. It offers all the comforting, nostalgic flavours of a traditional lasagna, but in a wonderfully simple and satisfying soup. It’s the ideal meal for gathering the family together for dinner, promising maximum enjoyment with minimal fuss.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out your slow cooker, assemble your ingredients, and prepare to make a meal that everyone will love. We’re sure that just one taste of this rich, cheesy, and satisfying lasagna soup will have you completely convinced. Please do leave a comment below to tell us how you got on—we always enjoy hearing from you!