In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat if necessary, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Transfer the browned meat mixture to the crockpot. Add the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, basil, and oregano. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodle pieces to the crockpot, stirring them into the soup. Cover and let them cook until tender.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir until well mixed.
Once the lasagna noodles are cooked through, scoop servings of the soup into bowls and top each with a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top and let it melt slightly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Serve with extra cheese and fresh basil for garnish. Crusty bread on the side enhances the experience.