Brown the Sausage and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain any excess grease.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked sausage mixture to the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Stir everything to combine.
Slow Cook the Base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. This long cooking time allows the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully.
Cook the Noodles: About 30-40 minutes before serving, stir the broken lasagna noodles into the slow cooker. Cover and continue to cook on HIGH until the noodles are tender (al dente).
Add the Creamy Finish: Turn the slow cooker off or to the 'keep warm' setting. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until well combined. Do not let the soup boil after adding the dairy, as it can cause it to curdle.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, and fresh chopped basil or parsley. The mozzarella will melt into the hot soup, creating a delicious cheesy topping.