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Cozy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup with Ricotta

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A comforting, easy-to-make soup that captures the flavors of traditional lasagna without the hassle. Ground beef, Italian sausage, and penne pasta simmer in a rich tomato broth, finished with creamy ricotta dollops and melted mozzarella.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 24–26 ounces jarred marinara sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 8 ounces dry penne pasta, broken into pieces
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon. Add onion and garlic in the last 2 minutes to soften.
  2. Transfer the meat mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add marinara sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until tomato paste is dissolved.
  3. Break the dry penne pasta into smaller pieces and add to the slow cooker. Stir to ensure pasta is submerged in the liquid.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, checking pasta tenderness at the 2-hour mark on HIGH.
  5. While soup cooks, mix ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  6. Once pasta is tender, turn slow cooker to HIGH. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture into the hot soup. Cover and let heat melt the cheese pockets for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Stir in heavy cream (if using) and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately, topped with fresh basil and parmesan if desired.

Notes

Pasta continues to absorb liquid even after cooking. If the soup becomes too thick, stir in additional broth or water. For meal prep, consider undercooking the pasta slightly or adding extra broth when reheating. Do not freeze with the pasta included as it will become mushy; freeze the soup base separately.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker lasagna soup, ricotta soup, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian soup, meal prep, ground beef soup

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/cozy-slow-cooker-lasagna-soup-with-ricotta/