If you have ever wished you could enjoy all the comforting, cheesy goodness of a classic lasagna without the hours of assembly and baking, this Lasagna Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a bubbling pot filled with tender broken lasagna noodles, savory ground meat, rich tomato broth, and a heavenly trio of cheeses that melts into every spoonful. This soup brings that iconic lasagna flavor into a hearty, slurpable bowl perfect for cozy nights when you want big flavor with minimal fuss. Trust me, once you try this, it will become your go-to for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Lasagna Soup Recipe lies in its straightforward and pantry-friendly ingredients. Each item plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that inviting color that screams home-cooked good.
- Olive oil: Used to sauté the meat and onions, adding a fruity depth as the base of the soup.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: Your main source of savory richness and protein that makes the soup satisfying.
- Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and aromatic base when softened.
- Garlic: Provides a punch of savory warmth that instantly wakes up the broth.
- Chicken or beef broth: Creates a flavorful, rich liquid that carries all the ingredients together.
- Crushed tomatoes: Adds body and vibrant color with a slightly tangy taste.
- Diced tomatoes: Enhance texture and freshness within the soup.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies tomato flavor and lends a luscious thickness.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings classic Italian flair and complements the meat and tomato base.
- Dried basil: Adds a sweet, herbal note that’s essential in Italian dishes.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Gives the slightest hint of heat to balance the richness.
- Lasagna noodles: Broken into pieces, these are the comforting pasta stars that soak up all the delicious broth.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creamy softness and a mild tang, perfect for dolloping on top.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully, creating that stringy, gooey texture lasagna fans love.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings nutty, salty depth that rounds out the cheese mixture.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate every flavor in the pot.
- Fresh basil or parsley: A bright herbal garnish for a fresh finish.
How to Make Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until the meat is nicely browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even texture and flavor. Once browned, drain any excess fat if needed—this keeps the soup from feeling greasy. Next, add your diced onion and let it soften for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, toss in the minced garlic and cook just for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it because burnt garlic can overpower the soup.
Step 2: Build the Soup Base
Pour in your broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and stir in the tomato paste to thicken and deepen the tomato flavor. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if you want that slight kick. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing those herbs and tomatoes to meld into a rich and savory base.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Soup
Drop the broken lasagna noodles directly into the simmering pot. Let them cook uncovered for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The noodles will soak up the flavorful broth while becoming tender but still maintaining a bit of bite. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste — this step is key to balancing all those wonderful flavors developed so far.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Topping
While the noodles are cooking, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a small bowl. This luscious cheese mixture will be the crowning glory once the soup is ladled into bowls, instantly melting into warm, gooey deliciousness with every bite. Set it aside until serving time.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, topping each with a generous spoonful of the cheese blend. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor that brightens each mouthful.
How to Serve Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley elevates the Lasagna Soup Recipe from simple to something special by balancing the richness with a refreshing touch. You can also sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese or even a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for added flavor and shine.
Side Dishes
This soup is a one-pot wonder but pairing it with crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad turns your meal into a full dining experience. The crispness of a salad or the crunch of toasted bread provides a wonderful contrast to the silky noodles and melty cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in mini bread bowls made from hollowed-out baguettes or sourdough rounds. This adds edible charm and extra savoriness. Alternatively, try layering the cheese topping under a broiler just until bubbly and golden, then pour the soup over for a different take on texture and presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Lasagna Soup Recipe leftovers store beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. To keep things perfect, especially the noodles from getting too mushy, you can cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl when reheating. Otherwise, storing everything together is perfectly fine if you plan to eat it quickly.
Freezing
This soup freezes well but be aware that pasta tends to change texture upon freezing and thawing, turning softer. For best results, freeze the soup broth and meat mixture separately from the noodles, then add fresh-cooked noodles when you reheat.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened too much. When reheating with fresh noodles, add them right at the end so they warm through without becoming overly soft.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef or sausage?
Absolutely! Ground turkey makes a lighter option and still works wonderfully in the Lasagna Soup Recipe. Just brown it well to develop flavor and consider adding a bit of olive oil since turkey is leaner.
What if I don’t have lasagna noodles? Can I use another type of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute broken spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni noodles. Just remember the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the pasta shape and size.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Lasagna Soup Recipe?
Definitely! Replace the meat with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef, and keep the cheese for that creamy richness.
How spicy is the soup with the red pepper flakes?
The crushed red pepper flakes add just a subtle warmth that gently balances the tomato and cheese flavors without overpowering them. You can adjust the amount or omit it altogether based on your preference.
Can I prepare the cheese mixture ahead of time?
Yes, keep your ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan blend ready in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature before serving to make it easier to dollop on the hot soup.
Final Thoughts
This Lasagna Soup Recipe is the perfect blend of nostalgia, comfort, and ease all simmered into one bowl. It’s a little bit cheesy, a whole lot hearty, and incredibly satisfying after a long day. If you haven’t tried turning classic lasagna into a soup, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a go—it’s sure to become one of your favorite weeknight meals that everyone asks for again and again.
Print
Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Lasagna Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian-American dish that combines all the flavors of traditional lasagna into a warming bowl of soup. Featuring ground beef or Italian sausage, tomatoes, lasagna noodles, and a creamy cheese topping, this easy one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta
- 6–8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
Cheese Topping
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Add diced onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup Base: Add chicken or beef broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Add the broken lasagna noodles into the pot and continue simmering for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender but not mushy. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy.
- Serve with Cheese and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a fresh finish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This soup reheats well—store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To prevent the noodles from becoming too soft in leftovers, you can cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl right before serving.
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier flavor or ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference, or omit for a milder soup.
