Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the browned meat, onion, and garlic mixture to your crockpot.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth.
- Stir in the oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Make sure they are submerged in the liquid.
- Cook until the noodles are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, or they'll become mushy.
- In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix well.
- Ladle the Lasagna Soup into bowls. Top each bowl with a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.
Notes
For best results, brown the meat before adding it to the crockpot to enhance the flavor and prevent a greasy soup. Break lasagna noodles into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Adjust cooking time based on your crockpot model. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months (without noodles). Consider adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Get creative with toppings like mozzarella cheese, pesto, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.