Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or sausage) with diced onion until browned. Drain excess grease, then stir in minced garlic for about 1 minute.
Assemble the Soup: Add the cooked meat mixture to your slow cooker. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and all seasonings. Stir well.
Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3 hours.
Add the Noodles: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Continue cooking until tender.
Finish with Cheese: Before serving, stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve each bowl topped with a dollop of ricotta and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
Use quality cheese. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better and adds that stretchy, gooey texture you crave.
Don’t overcook the noodles. Add them toward the end so they stay firm and don’t turn mushy.
Make it extra creamy. Stir a little ricotta directly into the soup right before serving for a rich, velvety texture.
Add a splash of cream. If you like a slightly richer broth, stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
Meatless Version: Swap the beef for plant-based crumbles or add extra veggies like mushrooms and zucchini.
Chicken Lasagna Soup: Use ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken and substitute chicken broth.
Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for a kick.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or rice noodles.
Cheese Lovers’ Dream: Add extra mozzarella and Parmesan for an even cheesier bite.