If you're a fan of lasagna and chili, you're in for a treat with this Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup! This comforting, hearty dish combines the rich, flavorful layers of lasagna with the spicy warmth of chili, all cooked up effortlessly in a slow cooker. The best part? It's the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that allows you to enjoy all the deliciousness of a homemade lasagna without any of the fuss. Whether you're looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy meal to serve at a gathering, this dish is sure to hit the spot.

The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you, simmering a mouthwatering blend of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices, and creating the perfect base for the cheesy lasagna layers. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a hearty soup that's bursting with flavor and has all the familiar elements of lasagna. Plus, it's customizable to your liking, so you can add or omit ingredients to suit your preferences. Ready to dive into this deliciously easy recipe? Let’s take a look at what you’ll need and how to make it!

What You’ll Need

For this Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup, you don’t need anything too complicated. The ingredients come together quickly to create a rich and satisfying soup that the whole family will love. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce
1 (15-ounce) can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4-ounce) can of diced green chilies (for a mild heat)
2 cups beef or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
1 (8-ounce) package of uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

These ingredients work together to give the soup its signature flavor—spicy, hearty, and comforting with layers of cheesy goodness. You’ll get all the flavors of a classic lasagna, but in the form of a rich and flavorful soup.

How to Make (Full Measurements)

Making Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup is incredibly easy and requires minimal effort, making it the perfect dish for busy nights. With your ingredients prepped, simply follow these steps, and you'll have a delicious, hearty meal waiting for you.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or ground turkey) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This will add an extra layer of flavor to the base of your soup.

Step 3: Combine in the Crockpot

Add the browned ground beef, sautéed onions, and garlic to the crockpot. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, diced green chilies, beef or vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Give everything a good stir to combine, ensuring that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Cook the Soup

Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The longer you cook the soup, the more the flavors will meld together, but even with a shorter cook time, you’ll have a rich and satisfying dish.

Step 5: Add the Lasagna Noodles

Once the soup has finished cooking, add the broken lasagna noodles into the crockpot. Stir to ensure the noodles are submerged in the broth. Cover again and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high until the noodles are tender and fully cooked. If you want the noodles to have a bit of texture, keep an eye on them toward the end of the cook time, as lasagna noodles can become too soft if cooked for too long.

Step 6: Prepare the Cheese Layer

While the soup is cooking, mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. This will form the creamy cheese layer that you'll add to the soup for that signature lasagna feel.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the noodles are cooked, stir in the cheese mixture, allowing it to melt and become incorporated into the soup. Once everything is combined, top the soup with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt the cheese on top. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving Tips:
This Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup is perfect as a hearty main dish, but you can also serve it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad to make the meal even more filling. The cheesy, comforting nature of this soup pairs wonderfully with a light, crisp salad to balance out the richness.

When serving, ladle the soup into bowls and make sure each serving gets a good amount of melted cheese, as that's one of the best parts! You can also offer some extra toppings like crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and texture.

Storage Tips:
This soup is great for meal prep and leftovers! You can store any remaining soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When storing, make sure the noodles are completely submerged in the broth to keep them from becoming too dry.

Freezing:
If you have leftovers or want to make a big batch ahead of time, this soup freezes well. To freeze, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot. If the soup is too thick after freezing, you can add a bit of extra broth to reach your desired consistency.

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Mistakes to Avoid

Making Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup is relatively straightforward, but as with any recipe, there are a few common mistakes that can affect the final dish. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll ensure that your soup is flavorful, creamy, and perfectly cooked every time.

1. Overcooking the Noodles

Lasagna noodles cook quickly and can become mushy if left in the slow cooker for too long. It’s important to add them during the final 30 minutes of cooking to ensure they stay tender but not overcooked. Keep an eye on them, and check for doneness toward the end of the cooking time.

2. Using the Wrong Ground Meat

While ground beef is a classic choice for chili lasagna soup, using leaner ground meat, like ground turkey or chicken, is also an excellent option. However, if you use too lean of a meat (like extra-lean ground turkey), the soup may lack richness. For the best flavor and texture, opt for ground beef that’s 85% lean or ground turkey with some fat content.

3. Not Browning the Meat Properly

Browning the ground beef and onions in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot adds a depth of flavor that makes the soup taste richer. Skipping this step can result in a soup that feels flat or lacks complexity. Take the extra time to brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic—your taste buds will thank you!

4. Overcrowding the Crockpot

While it might be tempting to load up the crockpot with more ingredients, overcrowding can affect the way the soup cooks. Ensure that your crockpot has enough room for the ingredients to cook evenly and thoroughly. If you’re making a double batch, consider using a larger slow cooker or cooking in two separate pots.

5. Forgetting the Cheese Layer

The cheese layer is a key component of lasagna, and it’s what makes this soup feel like a comforting, cheesy bowl of goodness. Don’t forget to mix the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese and add it into the soup at the end of the cooking process. It adds richness and a creamy texture that ties everything together.

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Tips and Tricks

To get the most out of your Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup, here are a few helpful tips and tricks that will elevate the dish and make your cooking experience even easier:

1. Use Fresh Herbs for Extra Flavor

While dried herbs like oregano and basil work perfectly in this soup, adding fresh herbs as a garnish before serving can enhance the flavor even further. A sprinkle of fresh basil, parsley, or thyme can give your soup a burst of freshness and elevate its appearance.

2. Swap in Different Cheeses

While the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan combination is classic, feel free to mix things up with other cheeses. A little sharp cheddar can add extra richness, or you can use a blend of Italian cheeses for a more complex flavor profile. Just make sure to use cheeses that melt well for the creamiest texture.

3. Spice It Up (or Down)

If you enjoy a bit of heat, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the soup. On the other hand, if you're cooking for a family or guests with a more sensitive palate, you can skip the spicy elements or adjust them to your liking.

4. Make It Your Own

While this recipe is delicious as written, it’s incredibly versatile. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to make it even heartier. You can also swap the beans for different varieties or try adding cooked ground sausage or even chicken for added protein.

5. Add a Side of Garlic Bread

Lasagna and garlic bread are a match made in heaven. Serve this soup with a side of warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up all the rich broth, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

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Suggestions

While the Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup recipe is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize and serve it to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. Here are some fun suggestions to help you take this dish to the next level:

1. Add Extra Vegetables

For those looking to increase the vegetable content of the soup, consider adding additional veggies to the crockpot. Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach can be easily incorporated without affecting the texture or flavor. These vegetables will blend nicely with the spices and add extra nutrition to the dish.

2. Make It Vegan

If you're following a plant-based diet, you can easily make this soup vegan. Swap the ground meat for plant-based crumbles or extra beans like chickpeas or lentils. Instead of ricotta cheese, use vegan ricotta or cashew cream for the cheesy layer. Use non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk) instead of the broth for a creamy texture. Finish with some vegan mozzarella for a melty, cheesy top.

3. Top with Fresh Avocado or Sour Cream

For a cool, creamy contrast to the warmth and spiciness of the soup, top your bowl with a spoonful of sour cream or a few slices of fresh avocado. The creamy texture and slight acidity from the sour cream (or the smoothness of the avocado) will balance out the rich flavors of the soup and add an extra layer of deliciousness.

4. Serve with a Side Salad

Pair the soup with a light side salad to brighten the meal. A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a simple arugula salad with lemon dressing will help cut through the richness of the cheese and beans. It’s a great way to introduce some freshness into the meal.

5. Make a One-Pot Meal

If you prefer to simplify the process even further, you can cook everything in a single pot on the stovetop rather than using a slow cooker. After browning the meat and sautéing the onions and garlic, add all the ingredients to a large pot and simmer on the stovetop for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This shortcut works well when you're short on time but still want the comforting flavors of the soup.

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FAQ

Q: Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker?
A: Yes, you can! If you want to speed up the cooking process, use the sauté function to brown the meat and cook the onions and garlic. Then, add the rest of the ingredients (except the noodles) and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Once it’s done, add the noodles and cook them for an additional 5-7 minutes using the sauté function. Stir in the cheese mixture at the end, and you're all set!

Q: Can I use gluten-free lasagna noodles in this recipe?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free ones. Just be sure to check the package instructions for cooking time, as gluten-free noodles may require a slightly different approach. Break them into smaller pieces before adding them to the soup.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! This soup is perfect for meal prep. You can make it the night before, store it in the fridge, and reheat it when you're ready to serve. The flavors will actually get even better as they sit overnight! Alternatively, you can freeze the soup (without the noodles) for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, just reheat and add the noodles as directed.

Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Swap the ground meat for extra beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas), and use a vegetarian or plant-based broth. The rest of the recipe will remain the same, and you’ll still have a delicious and satisfying soup.

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Conclusion

There’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup to warm you up on a chilly evening or to feed the whole family with minimal effort. The combination of spicy chili, cheesy lasagna, and comforting soup creates a dish that’s both satisfying and flavorful. With its ease of preparation, you can enjoy the comforting taste of lasagna without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you're feeding a crowd or simply looking for a weeknight meal that requires little attention, this soup has you covered.

What makes this recipe even better is its versatility. From making it vegan or gluten-free to experimenting with additional vegetables or proteins, you can tailor this soup to fit any dietary needs or preferences. Plus, the leftovers (if there are any!) store and reheat beautifully, making it an ideal dish for meal prep or busy days ahead.

So, gather your ingredients, set your crockpot, and get ready for a delicious and comforting meal that the whole family will love. With its rich flavors and easy prep, Crockpot Chili Lasagna Soup is sure to become a go-to in your recipe rotation. Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream on top for that extra finishing touch!