### A Hearty Relaxation: Crockpot Lasagna Soup 🍲🧀
Are you looking for a heartwarming dish to satisfy your carb craving, yet short on time? Don’t you worry, we got the perfect solution for you: Crockpot Lasagna Soup! It’s all the comfort of a lasagna in a simple, easy-to-prep soup.
### Why Make This Crockpot Lasagna Soup
This recipe gives you the warmth and comfort associated with lasagna, streamlined into soup form for convenience and ease. It’s a stellar choice for weeknight dinners when you have to juggle work, family, and a precious few moments for yourself.
### How to Make Crockpot Lasagna Soup
This soup is a breeze to make, involving just a few steps: browning the meat, throwing it in the crockpot with some veggies and spices, letting it cook while you tackle other tasks, and finally stirring in the noodles and cheese. Now, let’s dive into the specifics.
### Ingredients:
– Ground beef or Italian sausage (1lb)
– One onion (chopped)
– Three garlic cloves (minced)
– Chicken or beef broth (4 cups)
– Crushed tomatoes (1 can, 28oz)
– Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
– Dried basil (1 teaspoon)
– Dried oregano (1 teaspoon)
– Salt and pepper (to taste)
– Lasagna noodles (8, broken into pieces)
– Ricotta cheese (1 cup)
– Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, grated)
– Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 1/2 cups)
– Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
### Directions:
1. Cook your choice of meat (ground beef or sausage) over medium heat until brown. Be sure to drain any excess fat.
2. Move the cooked meat into your crockpot, adding in the chopped onion, minced garlic, broth, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste.
3. Mix in the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper and stir everything up.
4. Let your crockpot do the work for you — Set on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. As you near the end of cooking, add broken lasagna noodles into the soup and stir.
6. In a small bowl, mix ricotta and Parmesan cheese. Dollop this cheese mix on top of the soup and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
7. For the final flourish, let the crockpot sit covered for 10 more minutes for the cheese to melt. Garnishing with fresh basil or parsley is optional, but recommended.
### How to Serve Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Serve this hearty soup in a bowl, hot off the crockpot. Accompany it with a slice of your favorite crusty bread or garlic toast to make it a complete meal. With a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, you bring a dash of color and fresh flavor to the dish.
### How to Store Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Storing leftover soup is easy. Just ensure it has cooled to room temperature, then pack it into an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. This soup will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
### Tips to Make Crockpot Lasagna Soup
– You can also use turkey as an alternative to ground beef or sausage.
– Add the lasagna noodles towards the end to prevent them from turning too mushy.
– You can always adjust the level of spice according to your liking.
### Variations of Crockpot Lasagna Soup
– You can experiment by adding vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for a change.
– To make it vegetarian, replace the meat with lentils and use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth.
### FAQs
**Q: Can I use another pasta instead of lasagna for the Crockpot Lasagna Soup?**
A: Yes, feel free to use any pasta of your choice. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly so the pasta is cooked to your liking.
**Q: Can I freeze the Lasagna Soup?**
A: Yes, you can do so for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to leave room in the storage container for expansion during freezing.
**Q: Is it necessary to brown the meat before putting in the slow cooker?**
A: It’s recommended as it adds depth in flavor and removes excess fat. However, in a pinch, you could add the raw meat directly to the crockpot.
Enjoy the comfort of lasagna at the ease of a soup with our Crockpot Lasagna Soup! Dig in and relish this meal that brings everyone at the table with a big warm smile. 🍽️❤️ Happy eating!