Picture this: a chilly evening where the air feels like it could cut through your skin, and you’re cozied up in your favorite blanket. Now, imagine the comforting aroma of lasagna—yes, lasagna—wafting through your home, but with a twist. This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is not just a dish; it’s like a warm hug in liquid form, blending all the hearty, cheesy goodness of classic lasagna into a soul-soothing soup.
Steps
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Once cooked, drain the excess grease and set the meat aside.
- Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat and sauté diced onions for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute or two.
- Mix in tomato paste, marinara sauce, spices, and broth, then return the cooked meat to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then add broken lasagna noodles. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender. Add spinach if desired.
- In a small bowl, blend together mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses to create a cheese mixture.
- Serve the soup hot by ladling it into bowls and adding a scoop of the cheese mixture on top. Garnish with fresh basil for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1/2 pound
- Sausage: 1/2 pound
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Onion: 1, diced
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
- Marinara sauce: 24 ounces
- Chicken or beef broth: 4 cups
- Lasagna noodles: 8 ounces, broken into quarters
- Fresh spinach: 2 cups (optional)
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Ricotta cheese: 1 cup
- Fresh basil: for garnish
- Salt and pepper: to taste
FAQ
- Can I prepare Lasagna Soup in advance?
- Yes, you can make Lasagna Soup ahead of time. Follow the recipe up to the point of adding the noodles, then store the soup in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, bring the soup to a boil, add the noodles, and continue with the recipe from there.
- How should I freeze Lasagna Soup?
- Freeze the soup without the cheese in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it slowly on the stovetop. Prepare fresh noodles when you’re ready to serve.
- What are some vegetarian or vegan variations for Lasagna Soup?
- For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and beef, and add extra vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and squash. For a vegan option, also replace the cheese with homemade cashew ricotta along with the additional vegetables.
- Can I use different pasta instead of lasagna noodles?
- Absolutely, you can substitute any kind of pasta you prefer for the broken lasagna noodles in this recipe.
- How long can I store Lasagna Soup in the refrigerator?
- Lasagna Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when covered properly.
Tips
- Brown the Meat Properly: Ensure that the ground beef and sausage are well browned to enhance the flavor of the soup. Season with salt and pepper during cooking and drain any excess grease before removing the meat from the pot.
- Prepare the Soup Base Ahead of Time: To save time on busy days, you can prepare the soup up to the point of adding noodles and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, bring it to a boil, add the noodles, and finish cooking as instructed.
- Customizable Ingredients: Feel free to experiment with different pasta types if you don’t have lasagna noodles. Additionally, for a vegetarian or vegan option, replace the meat with more vegetables such as zucchini and mushrooms, and use cashew ricotta in place of regular cheese.
- Freezing Tips: If planning to freeze the soup, do so without the cheese. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on the stovetop, adding freshly cooked noodles if desired.
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven – If you don’t already have a large pot suitable for making soup, you might consider purchasing one.
- Slow Cooker – If you want to try the slow cooker version of the recipe and don’t own a slow cooker, this could be a useful purchase.
- Freezer-Safe Containers – For storing or freezing the soup, you might need containers that are specifically designed for freezer storage.
- Cheese Grater – If you need to grate cheese and don’t have a grater, this might be an item to buy.
- Small Mixing Bowls – For mixing the cheese, if you need additional or specific-sized mixing bowls.
