Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked ground beef mixture to your slow cooker.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth.
- Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Make sure they're submerged in the liquid.
- Continue to cook until the noodles are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Check for al dente texture.
- While the noodles are cooking, prepare the ricotta cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and beaten egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls.
- Top each bowl with a dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, and some fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
For richer flavor, brown the meat well and consider adding a splash of red wine to the skillet after browning, simmering for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. To avoid mushy noodles, add them only in the last 30 minutes of cooking and check frequently. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little broth if needed. Feel free to substitute ground turkey or sausage for the beef, or use other small pasta shapes if lasagna noodles are unavailable. Cottage cheese or cream cheese can be used in place of ricotta if needed. Get creative with your toppings; pesto, extra parmesan, or toasted croutons are great additions.