Crock Pot Lasagna soup. $15.75 for family of 3. 6 servings – $2.63 per serving.

I go to multiple stores because I price compare.

16oz Ground Mild Italian Sausage – Aldi – $3.55
2 Cans Diced Tomatoes – Lidl – .88¢ each – $1.78
Tomato Paste – 6oz – Lidl – .85¢
Sweet Vidalia Onion – Lidl – $1.19 (Diced. I used half)
Beef Broth – 4 Wyler’s bouillon cubes with 4 cups of water – 32 ounces. I got the beef bouillon cubes from the surplus store for .99¢ a jar
Freshly Shaved Parmesan – Lidl – $2.79
Ricotta Whole Milk – 15oz – Lidl – $2.49
Fresh Basil – Walmart – $1.78
Lasagna noodles 16oz – on sale – Weis Grocery – $1.19.
Heaping tablespoon of minced garlic and tablespoon of Italian seasoning.

Not added in the cost is the seasoning I used and the minced garlic. That’s down below.

Normally I don’t shop at Weis. It’s way more expensive than Lidl, Aldi, and Walmart but no other store had the lasagna noodles which I have no idea why every store was out of stock. I only found oven ready at those stores. I never tried to use oven ready so I don’t recommend it.

Now what I didn’t add to the cost is I used a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic that I already had from Lidl that comes jarred (6.7oz) in white whine vinegar for $2.99. I did not add that into the equation since I bought it 3 weeks ago. Lidl also sells a 8oz jar of minced garlic in water for $1.99.

I also didn’t add Goya Sazonador The Perfect Seasoning With Black Pepper ($4.98 11oz from Walmart) because my son and I use a jar of that maybe ever 2-3 months because it’s everything we like together. I didn’t have Italian seasoning like I thought I did and I used the Goya seasoning instead. It’s about 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning but you can add more or less depending on your own taste. I eyeballed it till my mind told me to stop. The Goya seasoning is garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, parsley, oregano, and cumin. It’s all about personal preference when it comes to cooking.

I cooked the sausage and drained. I made the beef broth with 4 cups of water and 4 bouillon cubes as the sausage was browning. You can use any kind of stock (chicken, beef, vegetable) as long as it’s 32 ounces/4 cups. Also any ground meat is fine. Beef, chicken, turkey, or even plant based as long as it’s a pound/16 ounces.

I have a preference with onions. As what my mom would say “I’m not a fan of bitey onions.” Which is why I like sweet vidalia the most. They aren’t so sharp with taste.

I added the beef broth I made to the crock pot, along with the 2 cans of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, diced onions, minced garlic, Goya seasoning, and the fully cooked mild Italian ground sausage. You can cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours. I have a insta pot so if you have a regular crock pot set a timer. It does look VERY watery before you add the noodles. Don’t panic. It’s fine.

When there are about 30-45 minutes left on the timer, you break the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces which I broke over the crock pot because they aren’t very easy to break and those pieces can fly. I used all but 4 noodles as it’s suppose to be 12oz of noodles from the 16oz box. Make sure the broken up noodles are submerged.

Turn the crock pot on high if it isn’t already. Put the lid back on and it’s done after 30-45 minutes. I tried one of the noodles myself around the 20 minute mark because it’s really all about personal preference to al dente and soft.

Bowled with ladle and I added a dollop of ricotta to the middle, shaved parm around that, then added the basil to the top. Now you can use what my family calls shaker cheese (grated parm). Or even mozzarella. It’s all about what you or family likes. The noodles thicken up the soup quite a bit and then the leftovers it’s really THICK. I wouldn’t consider it soup anymore but it’s really good. This easily makes 6 bowls. Next time I’m thinking of adding a diced bell pepper.

I had a Caesar salad chopped salad kit as well from Lidl for $3 as the chopped salads for 2 for $6.