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Lasagna Soup {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}

Name: Lasagna Soup {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 2 (14.5 ounce) cans petite-diced tomatoes, not drained; 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce; 4 cups beef broth; 1 cup water; 1 teaspoon sugar; 8 “No Boil” (“Oven Ready”) lasagna noodles (about 5 ½ ounces total), broken into bite-size pieces; 1 cup ricotta cheese, at room temperature; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to taste; 1 tablespoon pesto; Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste; Chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil

Published: Dec 9, 2016 by Blair Lonergan

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This flavorful and easy Lasagna Soup recipe works in the slow cooker or on the stovetop! Full of rich Italian flavor, fresh vegetables, ground beef, and noodles, each bowl is delicious when finished with a ricotta-Parmesan garnish, and served alongside salad and garlic bread. The lasagne soup is a cozy, satisfying dinner for the whole family to love!

Lasagna Soup Recipe

Lasagna soup is such a fun twist on the classic Italian-American casserole. The rich, hearty flavors in the vegetable, beef and noodle soup come together in a flavorful dish that's cozy and comforting. Italian herbs like basil and oregano add a subtle touch of freshness to the delicious veggie-packed meal. You just can't beat the ease of a lasagna that simmers in one pot -- without any layering or extra dishes!

While some soups and stews require more patience and a longer cooking time, this lasagna soup recipe is a great weeknight option. If you use the stovetop method, it's ready from start-to-finish in less than an hour, and much of that time is hands-off. The soup is also a good prep-ahead option, since it reheats beautifully and keeps in the refrigerator or freezer for extended periods. Finally, for those days when you will be out of the house and you need a meal that's waiting for you when you walk in the door, whip up the crockpot lasagna soup!

Ingredients

This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you'll need for a pot of lasagna soup. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Olive oil: to brown the meat and vegetables.
Ground beef: or substitute with Italian sausage for even more flavor! You can also use chicken or ground turkey if you prefer.
Onion, bell pepper, and garlic: fresh vegetables that add great flavor and nutrients to the soup.
Italian seasoning: a blend that typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram, with other herbs and spices sometimes making an appearance.
Petite diced tomatoes: the smaller tomatoes are perfectly bite-sized for soup! You can use regular diced tomatoes if that's what you have, though.
Marinara sauce: for even more rich Italian flavor in the broth. You can use a homemade marinara or your favorite store-bought brand (we love Rao's).
Beef broth: the base of the soup. Chicken broth will also work.
Water: to thin the broth so that the noodles can cook directly in the pot.
Sugar: just enough to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
"No Boil" or "Oven Ready" lasagna noodles: cook quickly in the pot at the very end -- no separate boiling water necessary!

The Cheese Topping

Since lasagna always includes cheese, the soup wouldn't be complete without some type of cheese garnish! I've included an optional ricotta topping that's made by stirring together ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade). If you don't care for this blend, try garnishing your soup with grated Parmesan or shredded mozzarella.

How to Make Lasagna Soup

This soup works well in the slow cooker or on the stovetop. I've included instructions for both methods in the recipe box below.

Brown the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning in oil over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off the fat.
Add the tomatoes, marinara sauce, broth, and water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer (covered) for 15 minutes on the stovetop or about 4-6 hours on LOW in the slow cooker.
Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot or Crock Pot, cooking until the noodles are tender (this will take about 7-10 minutes on the stovetop, or about 30 minutes in the slow cooker).
Stir together the ricotta topping.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with cheese on top.

What to Serve with Lasagna Soup

This hearty stovetop or slow cooker lasagna soup is delicious when paired with a Caesar salad, a Shaved Fennel Salad, or a simple green salad dressed in red wine vinaigrette. You might also like to offer a side of garlic bread, breadsticks, homemade focaccia bread, or crusty baguette to complete the meal.

Storage

Leftover soup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to Freeze

This soup will freeze well, but it's best if you omit the noodles before freezing. Noodles can become mushy when thawed, so I recommend preparing the soup, but leaving the lasagna noodles out of the pot until you're ready to serve. Let the soup cool to room temperature, package in airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy the frozen soup, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, adding the noodles to the simmering broth and cooking for 7-10 minutes (or until tender).

Recipe Variations

Substitute ground Italian sausage for the ground beef (or use a combination of the two).
Make chicken lasagna soup or turkey lasagna soup instead of using the ground beef.
Use chicken broth instead of beef broth.
Omit the ricotta topping and just sprinkle shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese on top of each bowl.
If using regular lasagna noodles (rather than the no-boil or oven-ready variety), cook the noodles in a separate pot of boiling water according to package instructions. Drain, and then add the cooked noodles to the pot of soup at the very end. You can omit the extra 1 cup of water in the recipe.

Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup Recipe

Garnish the soup with fresh herbs, when available. Basil, parsley, oregano and thyme are great options to add extra flavor and brightness to the dish.
Scale the recipe to suit the size of your family. If you're cooking for just one or two, you can prepare a smaller pot of soup by cutting all of the ingredients in half. The rest of the cooking instructions remain the same.
Taste and season as you go. The total amount of salt and pepper necessary will depend on your personal preference, and on the saltiness of your broth and other ingredients.

More Lasagna Recipes to Try

Overhead shot of two bowls of slow cooker lasagna soup

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