Craving the rich, hearty flavors of classic lasagna but short on time? Look no further than this incredible Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe! It’s the ultimate comfort food, transformed into a simple, creamy, and utterly delicious soup that your family will absolutely adore. Packed with savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, rich tomatoes, and generous dollops of cheese, this recipe delivers all the beloved taste of traditional lasagna without the fuss of layering. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight meal that promises to satisfy every palate.
If your household thrives on vibrant flavors and perhaps a touch of spice, this lasagna soup is about to become a new favorite. It’s quick enough for any day, yet impressive enough to feel like a special treat. And for those moments when you do have the time to savor the traditional, we also have a fantastic Homemade Lasagna Recipe that’s worth every minute.
Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe: Your New Weeknight Favorite
This one-pot lasagna soup isn’t just easy; it’s a revelation. Imagine all the comforting essence of a classic Italian lasagna – the savory meat, the tangy tomatoes, the perfectly cooked noodles, and the indulgent cheeses – all united in a warm, inviting bowl. Unlike its baked counterpart, which demands careful layering and a longer cooking time, this soup requires no assembly whatsoever. You simply cook the ingredients in a single pot, allow them to simmer to perfection until the pasta is tender, and you’re ready to serve a hearty meal that tastes like it took hours, but was ready in mere minutes.
The beauty of lasagna soup lies in its simplicity and efficiency. It captures the rich, complex flavors of a traditional lasagna, making it accessible even on your busiest evenings. The meld of Italian spices, a robust tomato base, and the creamy richness of cheese transforms everyday ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. It’s truly a comforting dish that brings joy to the dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Watch How It’s Made: Lasagna Soup Video Tutorial
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Lasagna Soup
Crafting the perfect lasagna soup starts with choosing the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the deep, satisfying flavors that make this dish so special. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Meat: For an exceptionally rich flavor profile, we recommend using a blend of half hot Italian sausage and half lean ground beef. The hot sausage adds a delightful kick and a depth of seasoning that really elevates the soup. If your family prefers a bolder spice, feel free to use a full pound of spicy Italian sausage and omit the ground beef entirely. For a milder version, opt for sweet or mild Italian sausage.
- Tomatoes: The foundation of this soup’s robust flavor comes from tomatoes. A large 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes provides a rustic texture and rich tomato base, while a small can of tomato paste adds concentrated flavor and helps thicken the broth. For an extra layer of complexity, consider using fire-roasted crushed tomatoes. If you prefer to use a jar of your favorite store-bought spaghetti sauce, that’s also an option, but be mindful that you may need to adjust the amount of Italian seasonings to taste, as pre-made sauces vary greatly in their spice blend.
- Pasta: This is where you can truly get creative! While classic lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces, are a natural fit, many other pasta shapes work wonderfully. Bowtie pasta (farfalle) is a popular choice due as it holds up well in soup. Other great options include penne, shells, or even filled pastas like cheese tortellini or ravioli (fresh or dried) for an extra burst of cheesy goodness. We suggest about half a pound of dried pasta. If you’re using fresh pasta, reduce the boiling time significantly, typically to about 2 minutes, as it cooks much faster. This recipe is also fantastic for utilizing leftover cooked pasta; just reduce the boiling time after adding it to the simmering broth to ensure it doesn’t become mushy.
- Cheese: No lasagna-inspired dish is complete without plenty of cheese! This recipe calls for heavy cream to add a luxurious creaminess and shredded Parmesan cheese to be melted directly into the soup, contributing a salty, umami depth. For serving, dollops of creamy ricotta cheese on top provide a cool contrast and a classic lasagna texture. You can also sprinkle extra shredded Parmesan, and a generous handful of shredded mozzarella cheese would be an absolutely delicious addition for that signature melty pull.
Simple Steps to Make Your Lasagna Soup
Preparing this one-pot wonder is straightforward and quick. Follow these easy steps to bring this comforting meal to your table:
- Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and turns a light golden brown, usually about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 1 more minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground hot Italian sausage (or your chosen meat blend) to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small, even pieces as it cooks. Continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink and is thoroughly browned. If the mixture seems a little dry, you can add 1/3 cup of water to help break up the meat and deglaze the bottom of the pot, enhancing the flavor. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Build the Broth: To the same pot, add the Italian seasonings, salt, black pepper, the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, and the chicken broth. Stir everything together well. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Pasta: Once the soup is boiling, add your chosen pasta (such as broken lasagna noodles, bowtie, or penne). Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked “al dente” – tender but still firm to the bite. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and half a cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir gently until the Parmesan cheese has fully melted into the soup, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot lasagna soup into individual bowls. For the classic lasagna experience, add a generous tablespoon of creamy ricotta cheese to the center of each bowl. Sprinkle with an additional tablespoon of shredded Parmesan cheese and, if desired, a scattering of fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and fresh aroma. Serve immediately and enjoy every comforting spoonful!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lasagna Soup
While you can technically freeze lasagna soup, it’s generally not recommended if the pasta has already been cooked in the soup. The pasta tends to absorb excess liquid and can become mushy and lose its desirable texture upon thawing and reheating. If freezing is a must, we suggest cooking the soup without the pasta, freezing the broth and meat mixture, and then cooking fresh pasta to add when you reheat the soup. This will yield the best texture.
The beauty of lasagna soup is its versatility when it comes to pasta. You can certainly use regular lasagna noodles; simply break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces before adding them to the pot. Alternatively, experiment with other shapes like bowtie (farfalle), penne, rigatoni, or medium shells – they all work wonderfully. For an even richer soup, consider using filled pasta such as tortellini or ravioli, whether fresh or dried. If using fresh pasta, significantly reduce the boiling time to about 2 minutes after adding all other ingredients, as it cooks much faster than dried pasta.
Recipe Variations and Delicious Substitutions
One of the best things about this easy lasagna soup is how adaptable it is to your preferences and what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these variations:
- Protein Power: While a mixture of hot Italian sausage and ground beef provides the richest flavor, feel free to adjust. You can use all ground beef, all Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or hot), or even ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative. Just ensure you season any unseasoned meats well.
- Boost with Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value and add more texture by incorporating extra vegetables. Spinach, zucchini, diced carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms are all excellent additions. Think about the types of vegetables you’d find in a hearty minestrone soup and add them to your lasagna soup for a fresh twist. Add harder vegetables like carrots or zucchini with the onions to give them more time to soften.
- Extra Creaminess: For an even more luxurious and creamy soup, consider adding an additional splash of heavy cream at the end. You could also stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese with the Parmesan for an ultra-velvety finish.
- Spice It Up (or Down): Adjust the heat level to your family’s liking. If using mild sausage, a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a pleasant warmth. If you prefer less spice, use all ground beef or mild Italian sausage.
- Cheese, Please!: Don’t limit yourself to just Parmesan and ricotta. A blend of Italian cheeses, including shredded mozzarella, provolone, or even a touch of Pecorino Romano, can add wonderful complexity and meltiness to your bowls.
Storing and Making Ahead Instructions
This lasagna soup is fantastic fresh, but leftovers are also a treat. Here’s how to best store and prepare it ahead of time:
- Refrigerator: Any leftover lasagna soup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating, as the pasta will continue to absorb liquid.
- To Make Ahead: You can prepare this soup ahead of time up to the point of adding the noodles. Cook the meat, aromatics, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Allow the soup base to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply add the soup base to a pot, bring it to a boil, then add the pasta and proceed with the remaining instructions (cooking the pasta, adding cream and Parmesan). This method ensures your pasta remains perfectly al dente when served.
Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, white or yellow, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 pound hot sausage , or ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 8 large lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
To Finish
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and diced onion. Cook, stirring until the onion is lightly golden brown and softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Next, add the ground hot Italian sausage to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and is fully browned. If needed, add 1/3 cup of water to help break up the meat and scrape any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles (or your chosen pasta). Continue to boil for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked al dente (tender yet still slightly firm).
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and half a cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the Parmesan cheese is completely melted and the soup is creamy.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a tablespoon of ricotta cheese and an additional tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Video
Notes
To make ahead: You can prepare the soup base (meat, aromatics, tomatoes, broth, seasonings) up to 2 days in advance. Cool the base completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the base on the stovetop, bring it to a boil, then add the pasta and finish the recipe with the cream and Parmesan cheese. This ensures fresh, perfectly cooked pasta.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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This easy lasagna soup truly redefines weeknight cooking. With its simple 5-ingredient core concept (meat, onions, pasta, tomato broth, and cheese), it transforms humble ingredients into a rich, creamy, and satisfying meal. It’s a guaranteed family pleaser that brings the warmth and indulgence of Italian cuisine to your table faster than you thought possible. Enjoy the ultimate comfort in a bowl!