Craving lasagna but don’t want to spend all day assembling layers of noodles, sauce, and cheese? Well, I’ve got the perfect solution for you: Lasagna Soup! This dish gives you all the delicious flavors of lasagna in a much quicker and easier form. Think rich tomato sauce, savory ground meat, tender pasta, and gooey cheese, all simmered into a comforting bowl of soup. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, and I promise it’ll be a hit with your family or guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Lasagna Soup is the ultimate weeknight meal that’s hearty, comforting, and bursting with flavor. It’s like lasagna, but without the mess and the hours of prep! Plus, it’s a one-pot meal, so cleanup is super easy. The soup is packed with tender pasta, savory ground meat, and a rich tomato base, then topped with a delicious, melty layer of cheese. What’s not to love? You can even make it ahead of time for a quick dinner during the week.
Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek at the ingredients you’ll need (full list below):
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both for extra flavor)
- Onion, garlic, and bell peppers for the base
- Crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce for that rich, flavorful broth
- Pasta (I love using broken lasagna noodles, but any small pasta works)
- Ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy finish
- Fresh basil and Italian seasoning to bring it all together
You’ll find the full ingredient list below with exact measurements!
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Meat
Start by heating a little olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s fully cooked, drain any excess fat and set the meat aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if necessary, and toss in your chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the veggies soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 3: Build the Soup Base
Now, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a splash of chicken broth or water. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and a good amount of Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme). Let the soup simmer for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Step 4: Add the Pasta
Add your broken lasagna noodles (or other small pasta) to the soup. Let the soup simmer for another 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and cooked through. If the soup starts to get too thick, you can add a little more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Make the Cheese Mixture
While the soup is simmering, mix together the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. If you like, you can add a bit of grated Parmesan cheese to the mix as well.
Step 6: Serve and Top with Cheese
Once the soup is ready, ladle it into bowls and top each serving with a generous scoop of the ricotta and mozzarella mixture. Stir it in for a creamy, cheesy finish, or leave it on top for that classic lasagna feel. You can also sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh basil on top for a little extra flavor.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Meat Options: If you prefer a leaner soup, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef or sausage. You could also try using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for a nice balance of flavor.
- Pasta Tip: If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, break them into smaller pieces before adding them to the soup so they cook evenly. You can also use small pasta like penne, rotini, or even broken spaghetti if you prefer.
- Cheese Tip: For extra richness, feel free to add a little cream or half-and-half to the soup base. It makes the broth even more velvety.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Vegetarian Version: If you want to make this soup vegetarian, simply skip the meat and use plant-based sausage or mushrooms instead. You could also load it up with more veggies like zucchini, spinach, or carrots.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this soup gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta instead of regular noodles, or skip the pasta altogether and use a vegetable like zucchini noodles instead.
- Dairy-Free: If you need to make it dairy-free, you can swap the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Lasagna Soup is hearty enough to be a full meal on its own, but if you’re looking to add some sides, it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or a crusty loaf of bread for dipping. You can also serve it with a little extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of broth or water to thin it out if it has thickened. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I make Lasagna Soup ahead of time? Yes! This soup is great for meal prep. You can make it a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. It actually improves with time as the flavors continue to develop.
Can I freeze Lasagna Soup? Yes, this soup freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.
Can I use homemade lasagna noodles? Definitely! Homemade noodles will make the soup extra special. Just be sure to break them into smaller pieces before adding them to the soup.
Can I skip the cheese topping? You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it! The cheesy topping is one of the best parts of this soup. If you’re looking for a lighter version, though, you can skip the cheese or use a lighter cheese.
Conclusion
This Lasagna Soup is the ultimate comfort food, packed with all the flavors you love about lasagna but in a much quicker and easier form. It’s cozy, filling, and perfect for any day of the week, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a tasty meal for yourself. With tender pasta, savory meat, and a rich, cheesy finish, it’s everything you need in one bowl. Make it tonight, and I promise it’ll quickly become a favorite in your household!
Print
Lasagna Soup: All the Comfort of Lasagna in a Bowl
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food, Weeknight Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Craving lasagna but don’t want to spend all day assembling layers of noodles, sauce, and cheese? Lasagna Soup gives you all the delicious flavors of lasagna in a much quicker and easier form. Think rich tomato sauce, savory ground meat, tender pasta, and gooey cheese, all simmered into a comforting bowl of soup. It’s the ultimate weeknight meal, and a perfect comfort dish for chilly nights!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (or small pasta like penne, rotini)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Cook the Meat:
Heat a little olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks for 5-7 minutes, until browned. Drain any excess fat and set the meat aside. - Sauté the Veggies:
In the same pot, add a little more olive oil, then sauté the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes, until softened. - Build the Soup Base:
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth (or water). Stir, bring to a simmer, and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. - Add the Pasta:
Add the broken lasagna noodles (or any small pasta) to the soup. Let the soup simmer for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender. Add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick. - Make the Cheese Mixture:
While the soup is simmering, combine ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Optionally, add grated Parmesan cheese. - Serve and Top with Cheese:
Ladle soup into bowls and top with a scoop of the cheese mixture. You can stir it in for a creamy finish or leave it on top for that classic lasagna feel. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh basil on top.
Notes
- Meat Options: For a leaner soup, use ground turkey or chicken. A mix of beef and Italian sausage offers more flavor.
- Pasta Tip: Break regular lasagna noodles into small pieces before adding them to the soup. Other small pasta like penne or rotini also works well.
- Creamy Option: For extra richness, add cream or half-and-half to the soup base.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 40mg