An easy recipe for Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. This hearty, delicious recipe is perfect for chilly weather or anytime you want lasagna without layering noodles and firing up your oven. Customize with your favorite noodles and all the cheese!
Spring break is underway, and I’m heading back to Wisconsin for a visit.
Apparently it’s in the 20’s there right now, though, so I’m bringing all my best cold weather food ideas. Lasagna Soup is perfect for the occasion because it’s so easy to make and tastes delicious! Everyone is going to love it.
What meat goes in Lasagna Soup?
I started with a pound of Italian sausage.
I chose mild, but you can use sweet or hot if you prefer. You could also substitute ground beef it that is how you prefer your lasagna. Or go halvesies! (Is that a word?)
Brown the meat in a skillet with the vegetables before you add it to the slow cooker. You can drain the grease if you want to (I never do because Fat is Flavor).
How to Make Lasagna Soup
While browning the meat and softening the vegetables in a skillet, load up your slow cooker with the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms (OPTIONAL), and a pile of spices.
I LOVE these spices; they are straight from my favorite lasagna recipe. Stir in some water. Add the meat mixture. Cook slowly.
Towards the end, stir in some noodles. I think radiatori pasta is adorable and apparently everyone else thinks so too, since I couldn’t find it ANYWHERE. I used rotini.
Cheese
The best part about this, and the part that really makes it feel like lasagna, is when you ladle up a huge bowl full and then SMOTHER it in cheese. We’re talking about lots of cheese here. Because it’s a lasagna which I think means MOSTLY CHEESE in Italian.
To my sister Monica and anyone else who hates ricotta cheese: You’re welcome.
And to anyone out there who shall remain nameless, that gets freaked out by the gigantic lasagna noodles: You are also welcome.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 large onion chopped (about 2 cups)
- 3 carrots peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces Italian-style diced tomatoes undrained
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced, optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cans water
- 8 ounces dry lasagna noodles broken into bite-sized pieces (see note 1)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
- Fresh basil or minced freshly parsley, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine sausage, onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook until the sausage has browned and the vegetables have softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain if desired.
- Meanwhile, to the slow cooker, add diced tomatoes and their juice, tomato sauce, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, basil, fennel, and salt and pepper to taste (I like 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper). Stir in water and sausage mixture.
- Cover and heat on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. During the last 10 minutes of cooking time, stir in the pasta, cover, and continue to cook until softened. Serve with mozzarella cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Lasanga noodles: Put those leftover lasagna noodles from your pantry to work in this Lasagna Soup. Just break the dry noodles into bite-sized pieces. Or, substitute any other small pasta (radiatore and rotini are my favorites here).
Nutrition
Just made this for dinner tonight and it’s delicious!!
I didn’t have fennel seeds on hand so subbed in cumin and I’m very happy with how it turned out. My 6 & 3 year olds both gave it a big thumbs up!
Thanks so much for sharing, will definitely be making this again soon!
Thanks Jenna, so glad you all enjoyed! – Meggan
How could I make this recipe in an instant pot or stovetop? My friend recommended this recipe but I don’t own a crockpot. Thank you!
Hi Kelly, this absolutely can be made on the stovetop! Simmer in a large dutch oven on the stovetop instead of adding to the slow cooker. I hope you love this! – Meggan