Crockpot Lasagna Cozy Bowl (Printer-Friendly Version)
A warm, rich crockpot dish with seasoned beef, broken lasagna noodles, and creamy cheese toppings.
# Ingredients Needed:
→ Meat
01 -
1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean / 15% fat)
→ Seasonings
02 -
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
03 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Vegetables
04 -
1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Liquids
06 -
4 cups beef broth
07 -
24 ounces jarred tomato basil pasta sauce
08 -
6 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Pasta
09 -
6 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
→ Cheese Toppings
10 -
Ricotta cheese, for serving
11 -
Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, for serving
12 -
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
→ Garnish
13 -
Fresh chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with half of the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned with a slight hint of pink remaining, then drain excess fat if necessary.
02 -
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions soften and begin to turn translucent. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
03 -
Pour beef broth, jarred pasta sauce, tomato paste, and remaining Italian seasoning into the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 -
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. Optionally, cook on low up to 6 hours for convenience, ensuring beef is fully cooked and flavors melded.
05 -
Break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until noodles are tender but not overcooked.
06 -
Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
To reheat leftovers, add a splash of beef broth to restore soup consistency as noodles absorb liquid overnight.
02 -
Alternative proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage can substitute ground beef for varied flavors.
03 -
Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach can be added for extra nutrition and texture.
04 -
If unavailable, substitute jarred pasta sauce with a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes and adjust seasonings accordingly.