Cheesy Tomato-Basil Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

There’s something magical about a bubbling pot of lasagna, with its layers of noodles, savory sauce, and melty cheese. This slow cooker soup captures all those cheesy, comforting flavors while doing much of the work for you. Let it simmer in your kitchen throughout the day, filling your home with tantalizing aromas and ensuring a delightfully hearty meal by dinnertime.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Start by browning the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, stirring and breaking up any large chunks. Once it’s fully cooked, drain any excess grease, then transfer the sausage to your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing them just until they soften and become fragrant. Scoop them right into the slow cooker with the sausage.

Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir to combine, then set your slow cooker on low heat. Cover and let the soup simmer for about 4 to 5 hours to develop deep, robust flavors. About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, toss in the broken lasagna noodles and stir once more.

After the noodles have cooked in the soup, ladle a portion into a bowl. Then add a generous dollop of ricotta cheese on top, followed by a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and a dusting of Parmesan. Allow the cheeses to melt into the hot soup while you garnish with fresh basil leaves for a final pop of color.

Serve warm with crusty bread or a simple side salad, so you can dig into a comforting, cheesy bowl of nostalgia.

This recipe is fantastic for busy families, comfort-seekers, or anyone looking for a heartwarming meal that tastes like a hug in a bowl. It’s easy to adapt for different dietary needs: substitute ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for the sausage, use whole wheat noodles, or reduce the cheese for a lighter variation. However you tailor it, this Cheesy Tomato-Basil Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is warm, simple, and satisfies that timeless craving for homemade Italian goodness.