A comforting bowl of lasagna soup combines all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a warming, satisfying soup. This one-pot wonder delivers the rich taste of your favorite Italian casserole without all the layering and baking time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Enjoy all the delicious flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the preparation time
- One-pot meal means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
- Perfect comfort food for chilly evenings
- Customizable with your favorite lasagna add-ins
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
- Easier to serve and portion than traditional lasagna
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Olive oil creates the foundation for this dish, helping to brown the meat and sauté the aromatics to develop deep flavor.
Ground beef provides the hearty protein that makes this soup so satisfying. You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavor profiles.
Onion and garlic form the aromatic base of the soup, adding depth and complexity to the broth as they release their flavors during cooking.
Crushed tomatoes deliver the rich, tangy foundation that defines lasagna’s signature sauce. Their thicker consistency helps give the soup body while providing essential tomato flavor.
Beef broth transforms this dish from a pasta sauce into a proper soup, adding savory depth while creating enough liquid for the noodles to cook properly.
Italian seasoning brings in the classic herb blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that gives lasagna its distinctive flavor profile.
Lasagna noodles are the star ingredient that truly makes this soup reminiscent of the classic casserole. Breaking them into pieces ensures they’re easily spoonable.
Ricotta cheese adds the creamy, slightly tangy element that’s essential to authentic lasagna. It melts partially into the soup, creating silky pockets of richness.
Mozzarella cheese contributes that stretchy, gooey texture we all love about lasagna, melting beautifully into the hot soup.
Parmesan cheese provides a salty, umami finish that elevates all the other flavors in the dish.
Salt and pepper are essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in the soup.
Directions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add them to the pot. Continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the noodles are cooked through.
- Stir in the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Servings and Timing
This hearty lasagna soup recipe yields 4 generous servings, making it perfect for a family dinner. It comes together in just 35 minutes total, with 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories, providing a satisfying meal without being overly heavy.
Variations
Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Replace the ground beef with a plant-based alternative or 2 cups of sautéed mushrooms and add 1 cup of diced zucchini or spinach.
Spicy Lasagna Soup: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the Italian seasoning, or use spicy Italian sausage in place of the ground beef.
Healthier Version: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, whole wheat lasagna noodles, and low-fat cheese options.
Creamy Lasagna Soup: Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream along with the cheeses for an extra decadent version.
Extra Veggie Boost: Mix in 1 cup of chopped spinach, grated carrots, or diced bell peppers when you add the tomatoes.
Slow Cooker Adaptation: Brown the meat, onions, and garlic first, then transfer to a slow cooker with remaining ingredients except pasta and cheese. Cook on low for 6 hours, add broken noodles for the last 30 minutes, and stir in cheese just before serving.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so your soup may thicken considerably.
Freezing: For best results, if you plan to freeze this soup, cook and store the pasta separately. Freeze the soup base for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. The cheese may separate slightly upon thawing but will reincorporate when heated.
Reheating: Warm refrigerated soup over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it’s become too thick. For microwave reheating, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the soup through step 3 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, bring back to a simmer, add the noodles, and continue with the recipe.
FAQs
Can I use different pasta shapes instead of lasagna noodles?
Yes, you can substitute other pasta shapes like bowtie, rotini, or even regular egg noodles. Adjust the cooking time according to package directions for the pasta you choose, as smaller shapes may cook more quickly than broken lasagna noodles.
Why did my soup get too thick after storing it?
The pasta continues to absorb liquid as it sits in the soup, causing the consistency to thicken. When reheating, simply add more beef broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.
Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Use the sauté function to brown the meat and aromatics, then add the tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release, add the broken noodles, and use the sauté function again until the pasta is tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cheeses at the end.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, but for best results, freeze the soup without the pasta and cheese. Add freshly cooked pasta and cheese after reheating the soup base. If freezing the complete soup, be aware that the texture of the pasta and cheese may change slightly upon thawing.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply substitute the regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free lasagna noodles or another gluten-free pasta shape. Also verify that your broth and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.
What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?
If you don’t have ricotta, you can substitute cottage cheese (blended if you prefer a smoother texture), cream cheese, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt for tanginess.
Can I add vegetables to this soup?
Definitely! Spinach, kale, zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers make excellent additions. Add hearty vegetables like carrots when you add the broth, and more delicate greens like spinach in the last few minutes of cooking.
How spicy is this soup?
As written, this recipe is mild and family-friendly. If you prefer heat, add red pepper flakes to taste or use hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
While convenient, pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. For the creamiest results, grate your own cheese from blocks, especially the mozzarella.
How do I serve lasagna soup for a dinner party?
Create a “lasagna soup bar” by serving the base soup hot and offering toppings in separate bowls. Include extra ricotta, different cheeses, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and garlic bread on the side for dipping.
Conclusion
This hearty lasagna soup transforms a beloved Italian classic into a convenient, soul-warming meal that delivers all the comfort of traditional lasagna without the fuss. The combination of tender noodles, savory meat, rich tomato broth, and melty cheeses creates a balanced and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or customize it with your favorite add-ins, this soup is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation, especially during colder months when comfort food cravings hit strongest. Paired with a simple green salad and perhaps some crusty bread for dipping, it’s a complete meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles.
Print
Hearty Lasagna Soup
A hearty and comforting lasagna soup, combining the flavors of classic lasagna in an easy-to-make soup form.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add them to the pot. Continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the noodles are cooked through.
- Stir in the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes when adding the tomatoes and broth.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
