Craving the hearty, comforting flavors of classic lasagna without all the fuss? This lasagna soup recipe is your answer! We’ve captured everything you love about a traditional baked lasagna – rich tomato sauce, savory meat, and tender noodles – and transformed it into a simple, one-pot meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious, satisfying dinner with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup
You’ll quickly fall in love with this one-pot lasagna soup for many reasons. It’s incredibly quick and easy, making it ideal for busy evenings when time is short. The soup is wonderfully comforting and bursting with classic Italian flavors everyone enjoys. This family-friendly meal brings all the joy of lasagna to your table. You’ll also appreciate less fuss and fewer dishes compared to traditional baked lasagna. Plus, it’s highly customizable with your favorite ingredients, ensuring a meal tailored to your taste.
Ingredients
Here are the essential ingredients for your new favorite lasagna soup recipe, promising rich flavor in every spoonful.
- 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 ounces 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)
- 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
You have flexibility with several ingredients to best suit your pantry and preferences. For the meat, feel free to use all ground beef, all Italian sausage, or a combination for a robust flavor. While homemade marinara sauce is wonderful, a good quality store-bought version works perfectly for convenience. If you are not a fan of ricotta, cottage cheese offers a milder, similar texture in the cheese topping. Fresh spinach is a great way to add extra greens and nutrients, but it’s completely optional. Lastly, if you run out of classic lasagna noodles, penne, rotini, or even broken spaghetti can work well in a pinch.
Equipment
Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the cooking process smoother. You will need a large pot or Dutch oven for simmering the soup base. A meat chopper or masher helps break up the ground meat efficiently. A wooden spoon or spatula is essential for stirring and sautéing. Finally, a small mixing bowl is perfect for combining the creamy cheese topping.
Instructions
Let’s make this incredible lasagna soup recipe together, step-by-step!
First, grab your large pot or Dutch oven. Over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until they are fully browned. As the meat cooks, season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Once it’s cooked through, drain any excess grease from the pot, then remove the browned meat and set it aside in a bowl for now.
The USDA provides guidelines for safely cooking ground meat to ensure it reaches the proper internal temperature.
Next, reduce the heat to medium and add the olive oil to the same pot. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and sauté it for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it softens and becomes translucent. Now, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for just another minute or two until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Stir in the tomato paste, marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, dried oregano, and dried basil. Pour in the low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Return the browned meat to the pot, ensuring it is well-mixed with the sauce and broth to form the savory base for your lasagna soup.
Bring the soup mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, break your lasagna noodles into quarters or smaller pieces and add them carefully to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer gently, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together or to the bottom. Cook until the lasagna noodles are tender, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes. If you’re using fresh spinach, stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking until it wilts.
While the soup simmers, prepare the creamy cheese topping. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until it’s well blended.
To serve, ladle the hot, comforting lasagna soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheesy ricotta mixture. Finally, garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, aromatic finish. Enjoy your delicious, homemade one-pot lasagna soup!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving the best flavor in your lasagna soup starts with browning the meat thoroughly; this develops a deep, savory base. Always adjust the seasoning to your personal taste before serving, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired. To prevent noodles from clumping together, stir the soup frequently after adding them to the pot. Simmer the soup just until the noodles are tender-crisp, checking them often to avoid overcooking. For a lighter soup, always drain all the excess fat from the ground meat before continuing with the recipe.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile lasagna soup offers many possibilities for enjoyment and meal planning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your hearty soup with a side of crusty bread or warm garlic knots for dipping into the flavorful broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a perfect fresh counterpoint to the rich soup.
Storage Instructions
Cool any leftover soup completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the soup for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Instructions
For longer storage, freeze the soup without the cheese mixture. Transfer the cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some headspace. It keeps well for 2-3 months. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Omit the ground meat entirely and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Vegan: Use plant-based ground meat, vegetable broth, and substitute the dairy cheeses with cashew ricotta and vegan mozzarella.
- Different Pasta: If you don’t have lasagna noodles, try penne, rotini, or even broken spaghetti for a similar effect.
- Slow Cooker: Brown the meat and sauté onions on the stovetop, then transfer all ingredients (except noodles and cheese topping) to a slow cooker for 4-6 hours on low. Add noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
This satisfying lasagna soup recipe provides a well-balanced meal. Per serving, you can expect approximately 480 calories. It offers a good source of protein, essential for muscle health, and carbohydrates for energy.
For comprehensive dietary advice, refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Total Fat | 25g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 850mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 30g |
| Vitamin A | 10% DV |
| Calcium | 25% DV |
| Iron | 15% DV |
FAQ
Can I make lasagna soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup base (without noodles or cheese topping) a day in advance. Cook the noodles separately or just before serving to prevent them from becoming too soft.
What kind of noodles work best?
Traditional lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces, are ideal for this recipe. You can also use other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or rotini for a similar effect.
How do I store leftovers?
Store cooled leftover lasagna soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If the noodles absorb too much liquid, add a splash of broth when reheating.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to toss in extra veggies like diced carrots, celery, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the onion for added nutrients and flavor.
Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which adds a very mild warmth. You can easily increase or decrease the amount to suit your preference for spice.
Conclusion
This easy one-pot lasagna soup recipe truly delivers all the comforting, delicious flavors of a classic lasagna in a fraction of the time and with far less cleanup. It’s the perfect hearty meal for busy families and beginners alike, offering warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. Give this simplified take on an Italian favorite a try tonight; you’ll be amazed at how quickly it becomes a regular in your dinner rotation! We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your creations, so please come back and leave a rating or comment.
