Lasagna is one of those meals that everyone loves, but it usually leaves your kitchen looking like a pasta tornado just rolled through. That's where slow cooker lasagna soup comes in. You get all the classic flavors you crave, but with a fraction of the work. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it simmer into pure lasagna perfection while you go about your day!
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Love cozy soup recipes? We've got some must-trys! This creamy chicken stew with dumplings is comforting and rich, this vegetable soup recipe is great for lighter meals, and this hamburger soup is a tried-and-true family favorite that everyone will love!
Why This Recipe Works
- All the flavors of classic lasagna with none of the layering. You get the same rich tomato sauce, seasoned beef, pasta and cheesy goodness in one cozy bowl.
- The slow cooker does 98% of the work! Brown the beef (this is the extra 2% of work), then toss everything in and let it simmer into a flavorful dinner with minimal effort.
- It is perfect for busy weeknights. Hearty and filling, and it makes a big batch for leftovers throughout the week.
- Slow cooker lasagna soup is the epitome of family-friendly comfort food. Everyone will love the familiar lasagna flavors.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef - Any type of ground beef can be used in this easy lasagna soup. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, cooked shredded chicken, or crumbled sausage for this recipe, too. Fully cook whichever protein that you plan to use before adding it to the soup.
- Orzo - Any smaller rice-shaped pasta can be substituted, such as stellette (this is pasta shaped like small stars, and it is so fun!), elbow macaroni noodles, ditalini, or spaghetti broken into small pieces. You can even use broken lasagna sheets as the pasta for this soup.
- Chicken Stock - Can be substituted for any flavor of stock, or use homemade bone broth for added nutrients!
A full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Customizations & Recipe Variations
- Make It Spicy - Add hot sauce, chili pepper flakes, or chipotles in adobo.
- Make It Creamy - When the lasagna soup is finished cooking, add a splash of heavy cream (around ½ cup) to give this soup a creamy consistency.
- Chicken Lasagna Soup - Instead of ground beef, use cooked and shredded chicken in this soup. Cook a whole chicken, use the bones to make homemade bone broth and substitute the chicken stock for bone broth!
- Vegetarian Version - Omit the ground beef, use vegetable stock and a vegetable stock cube.
- Gluten-Free Lasagna Soup - Use a gluten-free pasta, or omit the pasta altogether and stir in some cooked brown rice in place of the pasta. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free, especially the spices, as this can vary between manufacturers.
- Add More Vegetables - We already add spinach for a sneaky way to add some extra greens to this soup. You can also add roasted squash (roast it like I do for this squash soup recipe), cubed sweet potatoes, chopped celery, cauliflower or broccoli.
If you love lasagna recipes, check out my classic layered lasagna and my one-pan lazy lasagna, too!
How To Make Lasagna Soup In A Slow Cooker
Step 1
In a frying pan, brown and cook the ground beef. Drain off any excess fat.
Step 2
Add the ground beef, along with the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, beef consommé, onion, garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, beef stock cube, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine, cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
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Step 3
When there is 15-20 minutes of cooking time remaining, add the orzo pasta. Stir it in, replace the lid and let the pasta cook until al dente. When the soup is finished cooking, turn off the heat and add the spinach, stirring it in. Let the soup stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Step 4
In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta, shredded parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
The spiced ricotta topping can be prepared at any time. If preparing it in advance, cover and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve.
Step 5
Serve slow cooker lasagna soup in a bowl with a dollop of spiced ricotta cheese on top.
Serve with crusty garlic bread, buttered soft white bread or easy roasted broccoli.
Expert Tips For Best Results
- Adding the pasta near the end of the cooking time is essential. If it is added too early, the pasta will absorb too much liquid and get mushy.
- Use crumbled Italian sausage instead of or alongside the beef for a pop of extra flavor.
- Browning the ground beef in a frying pan before adding it to the slow cooker gives the beef a deeper flavor and allows you to remove the excess fat that would make the soup oily.
- Add extra shredded parmesan or sharp white cheddar cheese on top of the soup before serving for a burst of cheesy taste.
- Adjust the thickness of the soup to your taste by adding additional stock before serving. Lasagna soup thickens naturally because the noodles absorb the broth. If it becomes too thick, simply stir in a little extra chicken or beef broth before serving to loosen it up.
Storage Tips
Slow cooker lasagna soup stores beautifully, making it a great recipe for leftovers, easy lunches throughout the week, and freezer meals.
Make Ahead & Fridge Storage
To store, allow the soup to cool to room temperature and pack it in airtight containers. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, heat the soup in a saucepan or in the microwave. As the soup sits, you will notice that it thickens over time. If the soup has thickened too much, add a splash of broth or water.
Storage Tip: If you know that you will be saving a large portion of the soup for later, you can cook and store the noodles separately. This helps maintain the best texture and prevents the noodles from becoming overly soft.
Instructions To Freeze
Lasagna soup freezes very well, but for the best results and texture, I recommend freezing the soup without the pasta noodles.
To freeze, let the soup cool completely and package it up in freezer-safe containers. Label and freeze the soup for up to 2 months. When you reheat the soup, cook the noodles separately and add them in before serving. Do not freeze the spiced ricotta topping. Make and add it on fresh right before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lasagna soup takes the classic flavors of traditional lasagna and transforms them into a hearty tomato-based soup. Instead of layering pasta sheets with sauce and cheese in a baking dish, the ingredients simmer together in a rich broth, and then are served in bowls with a delicious spiced ricotta topping.
Yes! To make it on the stovetop, brown the beef in a large stock pot. Add the onions and spices and cook until tender. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, beef consommé, onion, garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, beef stock cube, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Add the orzo and cook until the pasta is tender, 8-10 minutes. Add the spinach, let the soup sit for 5-10 minutes and serve. Don't forget the ricotta topping!
Absolutely. You can substitute it for blended cottage cheese, softened cream cheese or shredded mozzarella.
Yes! Lasagna soup freezes wonderfully. Freeze the soup without the pasta noodles for up to 2 months. Do not freeze the ricotta topping.
Orzo, stellette, elbow macaroni, ditalini, broken spaghetti or broken lasagna noodles.
What To Serve With Lasagna Soup
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with this crockpot lasagna soup recipe:
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Frying Pan
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound Extra Lean Ground Beef
- 4 cups Chicken Broth or Bone Broth
- 1 can (28 oz) Diced Tomatoes
- 1 can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 can (10 oz) Tomato Soup
- 1 can (10 oz) Beef Consommé
- 1 medium Yellow Onion diced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 Beef Stock Cube crumbled
- 2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worchestershire Sauce
- 2 cups Spinach
- 340 grams Orzo Pasta
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Spiced Ricotta Topping
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large frying pan over medium heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat, then transfer the beef to the slow cooker insert.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, beef consommé, onion, garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, beef stock cube, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine, cover with the lid and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
- During the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, stir in the orzo. Replace the lid and cook until the orzo is tender. At the very end of the cooking time, stir in the spinach. Let the soup stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Spiced Ricotta Topping
- In a small mixing bowl, add the ricotta cheese, shredded parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top each with a dollop of spiced ricotta.
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Notes
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey, chicken or crumbled sausage can be used.
- Orzo: Any smaller rice-shaped pasta can be substituted, like broken spaghetti noodles, stellette, elbow macaroni noodles or broken lasagna sheets.
- Chicken Stock: Any flavor of stock or bone broth can be used.
- Adding the pasta at the end is essential to avoid overcooking.
- Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding additional stock before serving.
- Store leftover soup in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To meal prep, cook and store the noodles on the side for the best texture.
- For stovetop lasagna soup, brown the beef in a large stockpot, add the onion and cook until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients (excluding the orzo and spinach), bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, then stir the spinach and serve with ricotta topping.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
I first tasted lasagna soup a couple of years ago and remember thinking it was absolutely genius. All that cozy, cheesy goodness wrapped up in a bowl, yes please! Recently, it popped back into my mind, and I knew it was time to develop a slow cooker version. I hope you love this soup as much as we do!
Carol says
I know what we're having for supper tomorrow night. sounds delicious.
Jessica says
Please let us know if you try it!
Freida Breitenberg says
one of my hobbies is hiking. and when i'm hiking this works great.