A cozy, hearty slow-cooker stew with beef, tomatoes, tender lasagna noodles, ricotta, and melted mozzarella.
All the Comfort of Lasagna in a Cozy Bowl
Slow Cooker Lasagna Stew takes the familiar flavors of lasagna and turns them into an easy, spoonable dinner. Seasoned ground beef simmers with onion, carrots, celery, tomatoes, herbs, and a rich tomato sauce until the broth becomes deeply savory. Broken lasagna noodles cook directly in the stew, giving every bowl tender ribbons of pasta without the work of layering a traditional lasagna. A spoonful of ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella finish the dish with the creamy, cheesy flavor that makes lasagna so comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Slow-cooker ease: The stew cooks low and slow with minimal hands-on work.
2. Lasagna flavor: Tomatoes, herbs, beef, pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella recreate the classic combination.
3. Hearty one-pot meal: Beef, vegetables, and noodles make the stew substantial enough for dinner.
4. Freezer-friendly: Portions can be cooled and stored for later meals.
5. Family-style comfort: It is cozy, filling, and easy to serve in bowls.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Total Time: About 6½ hours
Servings: 6
Diet: High-Protein
Ingredients
For the Lasagna Stew
1. 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
2. 1 small onion, diced
3. 2 carrots, diced
4. 2 celery stalks, diced
5. 3 cloves garlic, minced
6. 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
7. 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
8. 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
9. 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10. 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
11. 1 teaspoon dried basil
12. ½ teaspoon dried oregano
13. ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
14. 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15. ½ teaspoon black pepper
16. 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces
17. 1 cup ricotta cheese
18. 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19. ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
20. Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
How to Make It
1. Brown the beef: Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
2. Add the vegetables and garlic: Stir in the carrots, celery, and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Build the slow-cooker base: Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have developed.
5. Add the noodles: Stir in the broken lasagna noodles during the final 25–35 minutes of cooking, or cook until just tender.
6. Check consistency: Stir the stew and add a little extra broth if the noodles have absorbed more liquid than expected.
7. Add the cheese: Spoon ricotta over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover for about 5 minutes, until the cheeses soften and melt.
8. Garnish and serve: Finish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot in bowls.
Tips for the Best Lasagna Stew
1. Brown the beef first: It adds deeper flavor and removes excess grease.
2. Add noodles near the end: This prevents them from becoming overly soft during the long slow-cooking time.
3. Keep enough liquid: The noodles absorb broth as they cook, so add a splash more if the stew becomes too thick.
4. Use full-fat ricotta for richness: It creates a creamier topping, though part-skim works too.
5. Serve promptly after adding pasta: The noodles continue absorbing liquid as the stew sits.
Easy Variations
Ground turkey or Italian-style turkey sausage can replace the beef. Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra vegetables. Cottage cheese can replace some of the ricotta, and a pinch of chili flakes adds more heat.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate them in covered containers. Because the noodles continue absorbing liquid, add a splash of broth when reheating. For best texture, slightly undercook the noodles if preparing a batch specifically for later.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crusty garlic bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables. Finish each bowl with extra Parmesan, fresh herbs, and black pepper.
Estimated Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
| Calories | 520 kcal |
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
Nutritional values are estimates based on the stated ingredients and may vary by brand, ingredient size, and portion.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Lasagna Stew delivers the best parts of lasagna in a much easier weeknight format. Rich tomato broth, seasoned beef, tender vegetables, pasta, and creamy cheese make a deeply comforting bowl that feels hearty without the work of assembling a casserole.