Lasagna Soup
Lasagna Soup is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that captures the essence of traditional lasagna with layers of savory meat, tangy tomatoes, creamy cheeses, and tender noodles all in a warm bowl. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this easy recipe is customizable, nutrient-rich, and delivers all the classic Italian flavors with minimal fuss.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Customizable (vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations available)
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base and Broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth
Pasta
- 6 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
- Sauté the aromatics and meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Build the tomato broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth, stirring to combine. Season with salt, pepper, fresh basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add the noodles: Break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and add them carefully to the simmering soup. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate the cheeses: Lower the heat and gently swirl in dollops of ricotta cheese, creating creamy pockets within the soup. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top and allow it to melt before serving.
- Finish and garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add fresh basil leaves for a burst of aroma and color just before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like basil and oregano for the best flavor impact.
- Don’t overcook the noodles to keep them pleasantly al dente; add them later in the cooking process.
- Layering ricotta and mozzarella at different stages provides a dynamic cheese texture.
- Simmer the soup gently to allow flavors to develop deeply without toughening meat or noodles.
- Adjust the thickness by adding more broth to thin or simmer longer uncovered to thicken.
- You can make vegetarian variations by swapping meat with mushrooms, lentils, or chickpeas.
- For a low-carb option, replace noodles with zucchini ribbons or cauliflower rice.
- Freeze the soup without fresh herbs and cheese for best texture upon thawing.
- Reheat gently, adding broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: lasagna soup, easy lasagna recipe, one pot lasagna, Italian soup, comfort food, ground beef soup, ricotta, mozzarella, weeknight dinner, hearty soup