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
Units
Scale
- 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