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Make dinner effortless by making this comforting Lasagna Soup in the Slow Cooker. Loaded with Italian sausage, tender pasta, robust marinara, and three creamy cheeses, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

A slow cooker of lasagna soup in slow cooker sits next to two bowls of soup on a striped towel, each topped with cheese and sour cream. Nearby, bowls of shredded cheese and ricotta rest on a wooden board.


 

Quick Recipe Overview

Two white plates filled with lasagna soup in slow cooker, topped with shredded cheese and a dollop of ricotta, sit on a blue striped cloth. A bowl of extra ricotta and a spoon are nearby.

WHAT: A hearty soup combining Italian sausage, broken lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, and three cheeses in your slow cooker.

WHY: All the comfort of traditional lasagna without layering or heating up your oven—just set it and forget it.

HOW: Brown sausage, add to crockpot with broth and seasonings, cook low and slow, then stir in noodles before serving.

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Table of Contents

Why I Love Making Lasagna Soup in the Slow Cooker

This crockpot lasagna soup gives you every comforting bite of classic lasagna. The savory sausage, the tender noodles, the melty cheese trio — without the layering or the mountain of dishes. You brown the sausage in the morning, dump everything into the slow cooker, and come home to a kitchen that smells amazing.

What makes this one a keeper is the flexibility. I can use spicy or mild Italian sausage depending on the crowd, adjust the thickness with extra chicken broth, and skip the ricotta when my kids protest. It’s forgiving in all the right ways, which is exactly what I need on a busy weeknight.

The finishing touches make it special. A handful of shredded mozzarella melting into the hot broth, a generous scoop of ricotta on top, and maybe a thick slice of crusty bread for dunking. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a reward after a long day.

Melissa in her kitchen smiling in front of the starting ingredients for the chicken the quinoa salad and skillet chicken on the wood block in front of her

🩷 Melissa

Break your lasagna noodles into uneven pieces — it’s actually better that way. The different sizes give you varied textures in every bite, with some pieces staying firmer and others getting nice and soft, just like real lasagna. Way more interesting than identical pasta shapes.

Fair warning: this soup thickens as it sits because the noodles keep soaking up liquid, especially overnight.

I always keep extra chicken broth handy for reheating. Just a splash or two brings it back to the perfect consistency.

Ingredient Notes

Italian Sausage: Use sweet, mild, or hot depending on your preference. Ground beef works too, though sausage adds more flavor.

Marinara Sauce: Choose a good-quality jarred sauce or use your favorite homemade recipe—it makes a difference in the final taste.

Lasagna Noodles: The ones with ruffled edges look beautiful in the soup. No need to use no-boil noodles; regular ones work perfectly.

Ricotta Cheese: Completely optional. Skip it if your family isn’t a fan, or save it for when you have another use.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

A tray with ingredients for lasagna soup in slow cooker: lasagna noodles, garlic, onion, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, ground sausage, ricotta cheese, and two bowls of shredded cheese on a white surface.
A crockpot of lasagna soup in slow cooker sits next to two bowls of soup on a striped towel, each topped with cheese and sour cream. Nearby, bowls of shredded cheese and ricotta rest on a wooden board.
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Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker

By: Melissa Griffiths
Make dinner effortless with this comforting Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker recipe. Loaded with Italian sausage, tender pasta, robust marinara, and three creamy cheeses, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment

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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups marinara sauce, about half of a 24-ounce jar
  • 15 ounces petite diced tomatoes, with the juice
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage and chopped onion until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft.
    1 pound Italian sausage, 1 small onion
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
    5 cloves garlic
  • Transfer the sausage mixture to the slow cooker.
  • Add the chicken broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
    4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups marinara sauce, 15 ounces petite diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4–6 hours.
  • About 30 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the broken lasagna noodles.
    8 lasagna noodles
  • Cook until the noodles are tender.
  • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
    ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Serve hot, topped with shredded mozzarella and a dollop of ricotta cheese.
    1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup ricotta cheese

Notes

Use Ruffled Noodles: Use the noodles with the little ruffle on the edge, they are so pretty!
Adjust Consistency: If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of extra broth before serving.
Reheat with Broth: Leftovers thicken as they sit; reheat with additional broth as needed.
Serving Suggestions: This soup pairs well with bread or a simple green salad.
Ricotta is Optional: If you are not crazy about ricotta by all means skip it. My kids don’t really care for it on the top or at least don’t care so unless I have something I’m planning on using the rest of the container for I normally skip it. That being said, it does give it some classic lasagna vibes. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 8 servings, Calories: 442kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 1569mg, Potassium: 634mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 610IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 222mg, Iron: 3mg
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How To Make Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker

A black slow cooker filled with lasagna soup in slow cooker, featuring broken lasagna noodles, ground meat, and rich tomato sauce, sits on a wooden board with a blue striped cloth nearby.

Step 1: Brown the Italian sausage and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked and the onion softens. Add minced garlic during the last 30 seconds.

Step 2: Transfer the sausage mixture to your slow cooker and add chicken broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.

Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, allowing all the flavors to blend together.

Step 4: About 30 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and add the broken lasagna noodles. Cook until the pasta is tender.

Step 5: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, then ladle into bowls. Top each serving with shredded mozzarella and a dollop of ricotta cheese if desired.

A bowl of lasagna soup in slow cooker, topped with shredded cheese and a dollop of ricotta, served in a white bowl on a striped cloth, with pasta, ground meat, and tomato sauce visible.

Substitutions & Variations

Meat Options

Swap Italian sausage for ground beef, ground turkey, or even plant-based crumbles for a lighter version.

Vegetarian Version

Skip the meat entirely and add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.

Pasta Alternatives

Use broken bowtie pasta, rotini, or even cheese tortellini instead of lasagna noodles.

Cheese Variations

Mix up the cheese blend with fontina, provolone, or skip the ricotta if preferred.

Spice Level

Add red pepper flakes for heat or use hot Italian sausage.

A close-up of lasagna soup in slow cooker, showing broken lasagna noodles, ground meat, diced tomatoes, and a rich tomato-based broth.

FAQs for Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker

Why do the noodles go in at the end?

Adding lasagna noodles during the last 30 minutes prevents them from becoming mushy and overcooked. Pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so this timing ensures the perfect texture.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot?

Yes, brown the meat using the sauté function, add all ingredients except noodles, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick release, then add noodles and simmer on sauté mode until tender.

How do I prevent the soup from being too thick?

Keep extra chicken broth or beef broth on hand. The noodles absorb liquid as the soup sits, especially in leftovers. Simply stir in additional broth when reheating until you reach your preferred consistency.

Two plates of lasagna soup in slow cooker style, filled with noodles and topped with cheese.

My Best Tips for Making Lasagna Soup in the Slow Cooker

☞ Don’t Add Noodles Too Early: They’ll become mushy if cooked for the full time. Adding them during the last 30 minutes ensures perfectly tender pasta.

☞ Brown the Meat Properly: Take time to get good color on the sausage and drain excess grease—this prevents a greasy soup and builds deeper flavor.

☞ Taste Before Serving: Every marinara sauce has different salt levels, so adjust seasoning at the end if needed.

What to Serve With Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker

This soup is hearty enough to stand alone, but a few sides make the meal feel complete. Serve with crusty garlic bread, breadsticks, or a simple baguette for dipping into the broth. A crisp green salad with Italian dressing balances the richness perfectly. For a lighter option, try roasted vegetables or a Caesar salad on the side.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Room Temperature

Don’t leave this soup at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerator Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The soup will thicken considerably, so add extra broth when reheating.

Freezer Storage

Freeze for up to 3 months, but note that the noodles may become softer after thawing. For best results, freeze before adding the pasta and cook fresh noodles when reheating.

Reheating

Warm on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding broth to reach desired consistency. Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Make Ahead

Prepare and brown the sausage mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate, then add to the slow cooker with remaining ingredients when ready to cook.

A slow cooker filled with lasagna soup in slow cooker, featuring ground meat, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and broken lasagna noodles on a granite countertop.

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