Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal: a simple yet incredibly flavorful lasagna soup recipe! This dish masterfully combines all the comforting tastes of classic lasagna into a convenient, hearty soup. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you crave Italian comfort food but don’t have time for layering. Get ready for a delicious, easy-to-make dinner that your whole family will adore.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup
You’ll quickly fall in love with this comforting lasagna soup recipe for many great reasons.
- It delivers all the rich, savory flavors of traditional lasagna in every spoonful.
- This one-pot wonder is quick and easy, simplifying your dinner routine.
- It’s the ultimate warm hug in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings.
- A truly comforting, family-friendly meal that pleases even picky eaters.
- Easily customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful lasagna soup recipe. We’re using fresh, accessible items to build layers of flavor that mimic a traditional baked lasagna.
For the Soup Base:
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 recipe homemade marinara sauce (or 24 ounce marinara sauce)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 7 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
For the Pasta & Topping:
- 9 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional)
- 10 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for serving
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to personalize your cozy lasagna-inspired soup.
- Meat: Use all beef, all Italian sausage, or lighten it up with ground turkey or chicken.
- Marinara: A quality store-bought marinara sauce saves time, but homemade elevates the flavor beautifully.
- Pasta: If you don’t have lasagna noodles, any short pasta like penne or rigatoni works well.
- Cheese: Adjust the amounts of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan to your cheesy preference.
- Vegetables: Boost nutrition and flavor by adding sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Herbs: Use either fresh or dried Italian herbs for aromatic depth.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy tools to make this easy lasagna soup.
- Large pot or Dutch oven (at least 6-quart capacity)
- Meat chopper (optional, helpful for breaking up ground meat)
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle for serving
Instructions
Creating this comforting lasagna soup recipe is straightforward and designed for ease. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious one-pot meal.
- Brown the meats: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned, then drain any excess grease. Remove the cooked meat from the pot and set it aside.
According to the USDA, safe food handling practices for ground beef are essential to prevent foodborne illness. - Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the olive oil to the same pot. Toss in the chopped yellow onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the base: Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add liquids and meat: Carefully pour in the low sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Return the browned ground beef and sausage to the pot, stirring to incorporate it into the rich tomato base.
- Cook noodles: Bring the soup mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender yet still have a slight bite (al dente). This usually takes about 10-12 minutes.
- Add spinach (optional): If using, stir in the fresh spinach leaves until they wilt into the hot soup, which takes just a couple of minutes.
- Prepare cheese topping: While the noodles cook, in a small bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until just combined.
- Serve hot: Ladle the steaming hot lasagna soup into individual bowls. Dollop a generous scoop of the creamy cheese mixture on top of each serving. Garnish with fresh basil for a burst of vibrant flavor and color. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
Enhance your comforting lasagna-inspired soup with these expert tips.
- Don’t overcook pasta: Add the broken noodles only when you’re ready to serve, cooking them just until al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Adjust spice: Increase the red pepper flakes for a spicier kick, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Enhance flavor: After browning the meat, deglaze the pot with a splash of broth or wine to scrape up flavorful bits from the bottom.
- Creamy ricotta: For an extra smooth ricotta topping, mix it with a splash of milk or a tablespoon of heavy cream.
- Broth quality: Use good quality chicken or vegetable broth; it significantly impacts the overall taste of your lasagna soup recipe.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Elevate your delicious lasagna-inspired soup experience with these ideas.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this hearty soup with warm, crusty garlic bread or garlic knots for dipping.
- Pair it with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
- Offer extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the table for guests to sprinkle on top.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover lasagna soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the soup base (without the noodles and cheese topping) for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If frozen, add freshly cooked noodles right before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian: Omit the meat entirely, adding extra vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini, and use vegetable broth.
- Vegan: Swap out the meat for plant-based ground meat, use vegetable broth, and create a cashew-based ricotta for the topping.
- Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or a tablespoon of cream cheese at the end for extra richness.
- Spicy: Amp up the heat by increasing the red pepper flakes, or incorporate a dash of hot sauce into the broth.
- Slow Cooker: Brown the meat and sauté the aromatics on the stovetop, then transfer everything to a slow cooker with the liquids. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, adding noodles during the last 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
This hearty lasagna soup recipe offers a well-rounded meal. Each serving provides a good source of protein from the meats and cheese, along with carbohydrates from the pasta and beneficial nutrients from the vegetables and tomato base. The values below are estimates.
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 550-600 |
| Total Fat | 30-35g |
| Saturated Fat | 12-15g |
| Cholesterol | 80-90mg |
| Sodium | 900-1100mg |
| Total Carbs | 40-45g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4-5g |
| Total Sugars | 8-10g |
| Protein | 35-40g |
Note: Nutrition facts are estimated based on ingredients and serving size of 7. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a few questions about making the perfect lasagna-inspired soup? We’ve got answers!
- Can I use other types of ground meat? Yes, absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent leaner alternatives to beef and sausage.
- What kind of marinara sauce is best? A high-quality jarred marinara sauce with good flavor is perfect for convenience, or you can use your favorite homemade recipe.
- How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy? To keep your pasta al dente, cook the noodles just until tender and serve the soup promptly. Avoid overcooking, as they will continue to soften in the hot broth.
- Can I make this soup ahead of time? You can prepare the soup base (everything except the noodles and cheese topping) a day or two in advance. Reheat the base, then add and cook the noodles just before serving.
- Is this soup freezer-friendly? Yes, the soup base freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze it without the cooked noodles and the cheese topping, adding them fresh upon reheating.
Conclusion
This cozy lasagna soup recipe truly brings the heart of Italian comfort food to your table with minimal effort. It’s an incredibly flavorful, hearty, and satisfying meal that perfectly captures the essence of classic lasagna in an easy-to-make, one-pot format. Simple, delicious, and wonderfully versatile, it’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation. Give this delightful lasagna-inspired soup a try tonight, and prepare to fall in love with its comforting flavors! We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your creations in the comments below.
