🍲 Easy Lasagna Soup
A comforting one-pot dinner that combines everything you love about lasagna—savory meat, tomato sauce, Italian herbs, tender pasta, and creamy cheese—without all the layering and baking.
🛒 Ingredients
For the soup:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 4 cups (950 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar, optional, to balance the tomatoes
- 8–10 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1–2 cups water, as needed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the cheese topping:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh parsley or basil, optional
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the ingredients
Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and break the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces. Breaking the noodles makes the soup easier to eat and helps them cook evenly.
2. Brown the meat
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, followed by the ground beef or Italian sausage.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon until it is browned and cooked through.
If there is a lot of excess fat, carefully drain some of it.
3. Add the onion
Add the chopped onion to the cooked meat.
Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
4. Add the garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds.
Be careful not to burn the garlic because it can become bitter.
5. Add the tomato paste
Add the tomato paste and stir it into the meat and onions.
Cook for about 1 minute. This helps deepen the tomato flavor and gives the soup a richer taste.
6. Add the tomatoes and broth
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth.
Stir everything together well.
Then add:
- Italian seasoning
- Basil
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sugar, if using
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
7. Add the lasagna noodles
Once the soup is simmering, add the broken lasagna noodles.
Stir well so the noodles don’t stick together or settle on the bottom of the pot.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10–15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
Stir occasionally while the noodles cook.
8. Adjust the consistency
Lasagna noodles absorb quite a bit of liquid.
If the soup becomes too thick, add ½–1 cup of water or additional broth and stir.
Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning if needed.
9. Make the cheesy topping
While the soup is cooking, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and a small pinch of salt in a bowl.
Mix until well combined.
This creamy cheese mixture is what gives the soup that classic lasagna flavor.
10. Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Add a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture on top of each serving.
Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley or basil if desired.
The heat from the soup will soften and melt the cheese, creating a delicious creamy topping.
⭐ Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
- Use Italian sausage for a stronger, more flavorful soup. Ground beef works wonderfully too.
- Don’t overcook the noodles. They continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits.
- If you’re making the soup ahead of time, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them when serving. This prevents them from becoming mushy.
- For a spicy version, add ¼–½ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- For extra vegetables, add chopped bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
- For a creamier soup, stir in a small splash of heavy cream near the end.
- The soup will thicken as it cools, so add a little extra broth when reheating.
🥖 What to Serve With It
Lasagna soup is hearty enough to be a complete meal, but it pairs especially well with:
- Garlic bread
- Toasted Italian bread
- Caesar salad
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic knots
⏱️ Quick Recipe Summary
Prep time: 10–15 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: About 45–50 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
The result: A rich tomato-based soup filled with savory meat, tender lasagna noodles, Italian herbs, and a creamy cheesy topping—perfect for a warm and cozy dinner.
