Lasagna Soup Recipe Your New Favorite Comfort Food

You know the feeling. It’s a chilly evening, and your soul is begging for the layered, cheesy, herbaceous embrace of a classic lasagna. But then reality hits. The simmering, the layering, the hour-long bake time… who has the energy for that on a busy weeknight? You’re left with a comfort food craving that feels just out of reach.

What if I told you there’s a way to get all the soul-warming flavor of a homemade lasagna in under 45 minutes, using just one pot? Welcome to the culinary magic trick that is lasagna soup. This isn’t just a soup; it’s a deconstructed, spoonable, deeply satisfying version of the Italian-American classic. It’s the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers and the star of your next cozy weekend meal. This incredible lasagna soup captures every essential element—savory meat, tender pasta, rich tomato broth, and that iconic cheesy topping in a format that’s somehow even more comforting than the original. Let’s dive into why this lasagna soup recipe is about to become a permanent fixture in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Be Obsessed with This Lasagna Soup

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Lasagna Soup Recipe

Cozy up with our easy one-pot Lasagna Soup! All the classic flavor in a quick, comforting bowl. Your new favorite weeknight dinner recipe.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 485

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 8 oz mafaldine pasta, broken lasagna noodles, or rotini
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Cheesy Topping:

• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Method

 

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Soup: Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Cook the Pasta: Increase the heat to a medium boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente.
5. Prepare the Topping: While the pasta cooks, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheesy mixture and garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Before we even fire up the stove, let’s talk about what makes this dish so special. It’s more than just a convenient recipe; it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about comfort food.

All the Flavor, None of the Fuss

The genius of a great lasagna soup lies in its efficiency. Traditional lasagna is a project. This soup is a solution.

• One-Pot Wonder: From browning the meat to simmering the broth, everything happens in a single Dutch oven or large stockpot. That means maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. The flavors have a chance to meld together beautifully right in the pot, creating a depth that tastes like it simmered all day.
• Speed Demon: While a traditional lasagna can take over two hours from start to finish, this hearty lasagna soup is ready to ladle into bowls in about 45 minutes. It’s the perfect bridge between a slow-cooked Sunday sauce and a frantic Tuesday night dinner.

Incredibly Versatile and Family-Friendly

This isn’t a rigid, fussy recipe. It’s a blueprint for deliciousness that you can adapt to your family’s tastes and what you have in your pantry.

• Picky Eater Approved: The familiar flavors of lasagna are a universal hit with kids and adults alike. You can control the spice level, easily hide extra veggies in the sauce, and everyone gets to customize their bowl with their preferred amount of cheese.
• Dietary Flexibility: Whether you need a gluten-free, vegetarian, or dairy-light option, this lasagna soup recipe is easily adaptable. We’ll cover specific swaps and variations later, but rest assured, no one has to miss out on this cozy meal.

How to Make Your Ultimate Lasagna Soup

Ready to create some magic? This process is straightforward and deeply satisfying. The aroma that will fill your kitchen is half the reward.

Gathering Your Flavor Powerhouses (Ingredients)

This recipe for lasagna soup uses simple, accessible ingredients that work together to create a complex and comforting flavor profile. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why it’s there.

The Simple, Soul-Satisfying Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Brown the Meat: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook 1 lb of Italian sausage (casings removed) over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage, leaving about a tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add your diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for one more minute, until fragrant. This step builds a deep flavor base.
3. Build the Broth: Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Add your dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to marry perfectly.
4. Cook the Pasta: Increase the heat to a medium boil and add your chosen pasta. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so al dente is key to preventing mushiness.
5. The Finishing Touch: While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheesy topping. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of whole milk ricotta, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Bowl of Lasagna Soup

You’ve mastered the basics. Now, let’s elevate your lasagna soup game with some expert tips and tricks.

Customize Your Dream Soup

This is where you make the lasagna soup your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Go Vegetarian: Simply omit the sausage and use a full pound of chopped mushrooms (cremini are great) or a plant-based ground “meat.” The rich tomato and cheese flavors are more than robust enough to carry the dish.
• Load Up on Veggies: This soup is a fantastic vehicle for extra nutrition. Stir in 2 cups of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking. You can also add diced zucchini or bell peppers when you sauté the onion.
• Switch Up the Pasta: If you’re making this lasagna soup for a crowd or plan on having leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately. Ladle the hot soup over cooked pasta in each bowl. This prevents the pasta from absorbing all the broth and becoming too soft.

Mastering Storage and Reheating

A pot of lasagna soup is a gift that keeps on giving, but proper storage is crucial for maintaining the perfect texture.

Conclusion: A New Go-To Recipe is Born

As you can see, this lasagna soup is so much more than a simple soup. It’s a testament to the idea that the best comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying meal that respects your time and delights your tastebuds. It brings all the nostalgic joy of lasagna to your bowl in a fraction of the time, with a fraction of the cleanup. This is the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself returning to again and again on cold nights, when friends come over, or whenever you need a guaranteed hit at the dinner table.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, grab your favorite pot, and treat yourself to a bowl of this incredible lasagna soup tonight. I promise, your future self will thank you.

Don’t forget to share your lasagna soup creations with me! Tag me on social media or leave a comment below telling me how you customized your perfect bowl.

Lasagna Soup FAQ

Q1: Can I make this lasagna soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This lasagna soup is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Prepare the entire soup (minus the cheesy topping) and let it cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often meld and improve overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a little extra broth if it has thickened too much.

Q2: What’s the best way to prevent the pasta from getting mushy in the lasagna soup?
The best way to guarantee perfect pasta texture, especially for leftovers, is to cook the pasta separately. Boil the noodles in a separate pot of salted water until al dente, drain, and then add a portion to each bowl before ladling the hot lasagna soup over the top. This keeps the pasta from continuing to cook and absorb all the broth in the main pot.

Q3: I don’t have ricotta. What can I use for the cheesy topping on my lasagna soup?
While ricotta is classic, you can create a delicious alternative. A mixture of whipped cottage cheese or mascarpone with mozzarella and Parmesan would work well. The goal is that creamy, cool contrast against the hot, savory broth of the lasagna soup. You could also simply use a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan directly on the hot soup and let it melt.