Craving the rich, comforting layers of a classic lasagna but short on time? This easy Lasagna Soup Recipe is your perfect solution. It delivers all the savory, cheesy goodness of traditional lasagna in a single pot and is ready in just 30 minutes. This recipe simplifies your dinner routine, packing in the robust flavors of Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy ricotta topping without the hassle of layering or long baking times. It’s the ultimate comfort food for a busy weeknight.
We designed this one-pot meal to be incredibly flavorful and astonishingly simple. You get the heartiness of a classic Italian meal with the convenience modern life demands. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite soup.
Why This is the Best Lasagna Soup Recipe
This isn’t just another soup; it’s a game-changer for dinner. Here’s why you’ll be making this recipe on repeat:
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single Dutch oven or large pot. That means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, as all the ingredients meld together perfectly.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: From browning the meat to simmering the broth, this entire meal comes together in half an hour, making it ideal for hectic evenings.
- Authentic Flavor, Simplified: We use a strategic blend of Italian sausage, herbs, and a rich tomato broth to capture the essence of traditional lasagna. The cheesy ricotta topping adds that signature creamy finish.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Both kids and adults love the familiar, comforting taste. For another family favorite, try this easy cheeseburger soup (coming soon).
Key Ingredients for Lasagna Soup
The magic of this soup comes from using simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
The Meats
A combination of ground beef and spicy Italian sausage creates a deep, savory base. The sausage adds a fantastic layer of seasoning and richness that ground beef alone can’t provide.
The Aromatics
Yellow onion and fresh garlic are the essential flavor builders. Sautéing them until soft and fragrant releases their sweetness, which balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
The Liquid Base
A mix of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth forms the soup’s robust, tangy foundation. The tomato paste, in particular, adds a concentrated, umami-rich flavor.
The Pasta
Mafalda pasta, with its ruffled edges, is the classic choice as it mimics small lasagna noodles. However, any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or broken lasagna noodles will work well.
The Cheesy Topping
A simple yet luxurious blend of whole milk ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan brings it all together. This trio provides creaminess, a great cheese pull, and a sharp, nutty finish.
How to Make This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect bowl of lasagna soup every time.
- Brown the Meats: In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Broth: Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, and basil, and cook for one minute to toast the spices. Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Topping: While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh parsley in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture and a sprinkle of extra parsley or basil.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Bowl Every Time
Want to elevate your soup even further? Here are a few expert tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The pasta will continue to soften in the hot broth after you take it off the heat. Cook it just until al dente to avoid a mushy texture, especially if you plan on having leftovers.
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: For the creamiest, most flavorful ricotta topping, use whole milk ricotta and full-fat mozzarella.
- Toast the Tomato Paste: Cooking the tomato paste for a minute before adding liquids deepens its flavor and adds a rich, savory note to the broth.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: While dried herbs are great for the broth, finishing with fresh basil or parsley brightens the soup’s flavor significantly. For another herb-filled dish, check out this delicious herb-baked chicken recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Lasagna Soup Recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also easy to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Creamy Lasagna Soup: For a richer, creamier broth, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Spicy Lasagna Soup: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the other dried herbs to give your soup a gentle, warming heat.
- Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Omit the meat and add a 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed lentils or white beans. Sautéed mushrooms and zucchini also make excellent additions for a hearty texture.
What to Serve With Your Soup
This one-pot lasagna soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A slice of crusty garlic herb bread (coming soon) is perfect for dipping into the rich tomato broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also offers a fresh, crisp contrast to the hearty soup.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
This soup makes for fantastic leftovers. For best results, store the soup and the ricotta topping in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. Serve with the reserved cheese topping.
Due to the pasta, freezing can result in a softer texture upon reheating. If you plan to freeze it, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to the reheated soup base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time. For the best results, prepare the soup base without the pasta. When you’re ready to serve, bring the soup to a simmer and then add the pasta to cook until al dente. This prevents the noodles from becoming too soft.
While you can freeze it, the pasta may become very soft upon reheating. For best results, freeze the soup base without the pasta. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, reheat on the stove, and then cook the pasta directly in the simmering soup.
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to store the ricotta cheese topping separately. Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You may need to add a splash of broth to thin it out as it will thicken upon standing.
This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty garlic bread for dipping and a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the soup.
Mafalda pasta is the best choice as its ruffled edges resemble miniature lasagna noodles. However, any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or even broken lasagna sheets will work perfectly well in this recipe.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love exploring our other comforting soup creations. Be sure to check out our Creamy Tortellini Soup (coming soon) or this rich and satisfying Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup (coming soon) for your next dinner!
Get the Full Recipe
Lasagna Soup Recipe (The Easiest 30-Minute One-Pot Meal)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the paste and herbs.
- Pour in the chicken broth and the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine and bring the soup to a simmer.
- Add the uncooked pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir occasionally.
- While the soup is simmering, prepare the cheesy topping. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Ladle the hot lasagna soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: Store the soup and the cheese topping in separate containers in the refrigerator to keep the topping fresh and creamy.
Tip 3: Use a combination of beef and sausage for the deepest, most complex flavor.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this easy Lasagna Soup Recipe as much as we do! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
