Ever had one of those days when you’re craving the warm, gooey goodness of lasagna but can’t be bothered with all those layers and that whole baking situation? Yeah, me too. Like, all the time. That’s why this WW Lasagna Soup in the crockpot is basically my new best friend. All the flavor, none of the fuss, and your Points budget remains intact. Win-win-win!
Why This Recipe is Awesome
Let’s be real for a second. This recipe is basically the superhero of weeknight dinners. It swoops in when you’re too tired to function but still want something that tastes like you put in effort. The beauty of this WW Lasagna Soup is that your crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you do… well, literally anything else.
The best part? It’s completely customizable to fit your Points budget. Whether you’re on Purple, Blue, or Green, this soup can be adjusted. And it tastes like actual lasagna, not some sad diet food impersonation. Trust me, your family won’t even realize they’re eating something “healthy.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound lean ground turkey (because we’re being good, but feel free to rebel with beef if you want)
- 1 onion, diced (tears included at no extra charge)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (vampires, consider yourself warned)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained, because that juice is liquid gold)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (regular works too if you’re not watching sodium like a hawk)
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (store-bought is fine, no judgment here)
- 2 bay leaves (that you’ll inevitably forget to remove before serving)
- 2 cups broken whole wheat lasagna noodles (about 4-5 noodles, broken into pieces)
- 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (the real stuff, not the green can if possible)
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional, but makes you look fancy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Don’t skip this step! Browning = flavor, and we need all the flavor we can get. Add the onions and garlic during the last few minutes.
- Transfer your meat mixture to the crockpot. Add the bell pepper, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir it all together like you know what you’re doing.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The beauty of crockpots is their forgiveness, so if you forget about it for an extra hour, no biggie.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles to the soup. Crank it up to HIGH if it wasn’t already. The noodles need to get soft, but not mushy—there’s a fine line, people.
- Once the pasta is tender, remove those sneaky bay leaves. Then ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of ricotta, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and some Parmesan. The cheese will melt into the hot soup creating that stretchy, Instagram-worthy cheese pull.
- Garnish with fresh basil if you’re feeling fancy, or if you need to impress someone. Even if that someone is just yourself. You deserve it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s talk about what NOT to do, because we all know I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:
- Overcooking the noodles – Add them too early and you’ll end up with lasagna mush soup. Not cute.
- Under-seasoning – “Healthy” doesn’t mean “bland.” Don’t be shy with those herbs and spices. Your taste buds deserve better.
- Skipping the browning step – I know it’s tempting to dump raw meat into the crockpot, but please don’t. Unless you enjoy the taste of regret.
- Using full-fat everything – Listen, I’m all for living your best life, but if you’re trying to keep this WW-friendly, the reduced-fat options actually work well here.
- Forgetting the bay leaves – They’re like the ninja of ingredients. In, do their job, and need to get out before serving. Nobody wants to chomp down on a bay leaf. Nobody.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Because we all know you’re going to check your pantry and realize you’re missing half these ingredients:
- Ground chicken or 99% lean ground beef works instead of turkey. Or go vegetarian with crumbled tofu or those fancy plant-based grounds.
- No lasagna noodles? Any pasta works, TBH. Rotini, penne, bowties—they all taste the same once they’re swimming in tomatoey goodness.
- The cheese situation is flexible. Full-fat, non-fat, dairy-free—you do you. Just remember it affects your Points.
- Vegetable broth can sub for chicken broth if you’re going the vegetarian route. The soup won’t know the difference.
- Add veggies! Spinach, zucchini, mushrooms—this soup is basically begging for more vegetables. Toss them in during the last hour of cooking.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?
Oh absolutely! Brown the meat using the sauté function, add everything except pasta and cheese, pressure cook for 10 minutes, quick release, then add pasta and cook for 5 more minutes. Cheese goes on top at the end, as always.
How many WW Points is this per serving?
Around 4-7 Points per serving depending on your plan and exactly which ingredients you use. The beauty of WW—you can plug it into your app and know exactly where you stand. It’s like math, but for food!
Can I freeze this soup?
You can, but maybe don’t add the pasta before freezing unless you enjoy the texture of soggy cardboard. Freeze the soup base, then add fresh pasta when reheating. Your future self will thank you.
How long does it keep in the fridge?
About 3-4 days, which is perfect for meal prep. The flavors actually get better on day two, once everything has had time to get acquainted in there.
Is this kid-friendly?
In my experience, if you call it “Pizza Soup” instead of lasagna soup, kids will magically be more interested. Psychology at its finest, people.
Can I add more cheese?
Is that really a question? Of course you can. Will it affect your Points? Also yes. Life is about balance—and sometimes that balance tips heavily toward cheese.
Final Thoughts
Listen, cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. This WW Lasagna Soup proves you can have your comfort food and eat it too—without spending hours in the kitchen or blowing your Points budget for the week.
The best part is coming home to a house that smells like you’ve been slaving over a hot stove all day, when in reality you just threw some stuff in a pot and went about your business. That’s what I call culinary deception at its finest.
Now go forth and crockpot with confidence! And when someone asks for your secret recipe, you can decide whether to share or just smile mysteriously. I won’t tell if you don’t.