Crockpot Lasagna Soup

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 25 minutes
• total time: 7 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef

1 large yellow onion, finely diced

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)

Salt and black pepper to taste

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

4 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth

1 ½ cups water (or broth)

2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)

6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces

15 ounces ricotta cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish

1 large egg

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Crusty bread for dipping (optional)

Directions

{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'name': 'Prepare Meat Base', 'text': 'In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add onion to skillet and cook until translucent (5-7 min), scraping up browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook 60 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and cook 2-3 minutes. Transfer cooked meat, onion, garlic, and tomato paste to a 6-quart slow cooker.'}

{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'name': 'Combine & Slow Cook', 'text': 'To the slow cooker, add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken/beef broth, water, Italian seasoning, dried basil, red pepper flakes (optional), bay leaf, and sugar (optional). Season with salt and pepper. Stir well. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.'}

{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'name': 'Add Pasta & Ricotta Topping', 'text': '30-45 minutes before serving, remove lid and stir. Add broken lasagna noodles to soup, ensuring they are submerged. Cover and cook until pasta is tender (30-45 min). Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ½ cup Parmesan, ¼ cup fresh parsley, egg, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper; mix until smooth.'}

{'@type': 'HowToStep', 'name': 'Serve', 'text': 'Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings. Ladle hot soup into bowls. Dollop with creamy ricotta mixture, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately with crusty bread.'}