If there’s one comforting dish that always hits the spot and gets rave reviews from friends and family, it’s Lasagna Soup. Think all the classic, soul-warming flavors of lasagna—tender noodles, savory beef, herby tomato broth, and those creamy cheese dollops—all swirling together in a blissfully slurpable bowl. This recipe delivers big-time Italian comfort in a way that’s both easy and fun!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the Cozy Lasagna Flavors—No Fuss: Skip the layering and baking but keep every bit of that traditional comfort, all in one pot!
- Super Adaptable: Whether you’re craving extra veggies, making it vegetarian, or swapping the pasta, this soup welcomes your personal touch.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike can’t get enough of those cheesy dollops and hearty noodles—it’s a guaranteed dinner win.
- Leftovers Welcome: Lasagna Soup tastes even better the next day, making meal prep or lunches a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Lasagna Soup does its part to bring incredible flavor, heartiness, and that signature lasagna richness to every bite. The best part? There’s nothing fancy here—just familiar pantry and fridge staples that come together in the most magical way.
- Olive oil: Adds depth and silkiness, and helps both the beef and veggies sauté to perfection.
- Lean ground beef: Brings that savory, meaty base that makes lasagna irresistible—but feel free to use your favorite protein!
- Yellow onion: Sweet, mellow, and endlessly aromatic once sautéed, it’s the flavor backbone here.
- Garlic: Can’t be left out! Freshly minced for a punchy, fragrant foundation. Adjust to suit your garlic enthusiasm.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the flavor rich but not too salty, letting each component shine through.
- Petite diced tomatoes & crushed tomatoes: The duo provides hearty texture and a sweet-tart tomato punch—essential for that lasagna “sauce.”
- Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor thickens the broth and amps up the color.
- Dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme: Brings authentic Italian herby goodness to every spoonful.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Don’t forget to season along the way for a perfectly balanced soup.
- Lasagna noodles: Broken into bite-size pieces, these mimic traditional lasagna layers and soak up the soup beautifully.
- Mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese: The classic cheesy trio—rich, melty, creamy, and everything we love about lasagna’s top layer.
- Fresh parsley: Brings color and a touch of freshness to finish things off in style.
Variations
The beauty of Lasagna Soup is how easily it shapes itself to your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever’s hanging out in your pantry. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this wonderfully cozy dish!
- Go Vegetarian: Skip the beef and double up on mushrooms, zucchini, or even lentils for fantastic texture and flavor.
- Change the Pasta: If you’re out of lasagna noodles, throw in campanelle, bowties, or even broken spaghetti for a playful twist.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use your favorite dairy-free cheese substitutes and vegan ricotta to make it entirely plant-based.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or some Italian sausage for extra heat and depth.
- Veggie Boost: Toss in chopped carrots, spinach, or kale with the onions for an extra dose of nutrition and color.
How to Make Lasagna Soup
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a big soup pot over medium-high heat. Crumble in the ground beef, sprinkle on a little salt and pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is deeply browned and no pink remains. Don’t forget to drain off any excess fat for a lighter soup base—this sets the stage for all the flavor to come!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Drop in the remaining olive oil, then add the diced onion. Sauté for around 3 minutes until it softens and smells dreamy. Add in your minced garlic and let it cook just 30 seconds more—no more, no less—so you get all the flavor without any bitterness.
Step 3: Build the Broth
It’s time to layer in the love—the chicken broth, both kinds of tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and your perfectly browned beef. Stir everything together, taste and season with salt and pepper, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it all simmer away for about 20 minutes so every flavor gets cozy.
Step 4: Cook Pasta & Mix Cheeses
While that glorious soup simmers, cook your lasagna noodles according to the package directions, aiming for al dente (tender with a little bite). In a mixing bowl, combine mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta with a fork until creamy and blended—it’s going to create those signature melty cheese dollops.
Step 5: Combine & Serve
Stir the cooked pasta and chopped parsley right into the soup. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a splash or two more of broth. Ladle your Lasagna Soup into bowls, scoop a generous dollop of the cheese mixture on top, and garnish with extra parsley. Stir in the cheese, dive in, and enjoy that oozy, melty goodness!
Pro Tips for Making Lasagna Soup
- Noodle Know-How: To keep pasta from getting mushy, add cooked noodles just before serving, or even better, place them in individual bowls and ladle hot soup over top.
- Herb Happiness: Give dried herbs a gentle crush in your palm before adding—they’ll release more fragrance and flavor instantly into your broth.
- Dollop Like a Pro: Scoop the cheese mixture onto the soup right before serving for dreamy, melty pools that everyone can stir in to taste.
- Broth to Taste: Don’t hesitate to thin your Lasagna Soup with a splash of extra broth—consistency is personal, and some love it extra brothy!
How to Serve Lasagna Soup
Garnishes
The crowning touch for Lasagna Soup? Absolutely, it’s the cheese. Don’t skimp on that hearty scoop of ricotta-mozzarella-parmesan mix, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley (a little extra cracked black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes never hurts). For an extra luxe finish, try a drizzle of good olive oil.
Side Dishes
This soup practically begs for a crusty, buttery piece of garlic bread or a hunk of ciabatta to soak up every drop. For something brighter, a simple green salad with lemony vinaigrette balances the richness and rounds out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Lasagna Soup in wide, shallow bowls so everyone gets a bit of noodle, broth, and cheese in every bite. For an elevated dinner-party vibe, offer extra garnishes—grated parmesan, chopped basil, or chili oil—on the table so everyone customizes their bowl. Or ladle the soup into small mugs for a fun, hearty appetizer at your next gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Lasagna Soup keeps incredibly well! Store the soup base and noodles separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. This helps prevent the pasta from soaking up all the broth and getting too soft.
Freezing
Lasagna Soup base freezes beautifully—just cool it completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags. Freeze without the noodles and cheese mixture; add those fresh when reheating for the perfect texture every time.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen if needed. Heat the noodles separately if stored apart, then combine with soup and top with fresh cheese mixture before serving—just like new!
FAQs
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Can I make Lasagna Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! The soup base can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. It actually tastes better as the flavors have more time to meld. For best texture, cook the noodles and prepare the cheese mixture just before serving.
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What’s the best way to keep noodles from getting soggy?
Store cooked noodles separately from the soup, or add uncooked noodles to individual portions as you heat each serving. This way, your noodles stay perfectly al dente and never mushy!
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Can I swap ground beef for another protein?
Yes! Italian sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based crumble work wonderfully in Lasagna Soup. Just adjust seasonings to complement your choice.
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Is Lasagna Soup gluten-free?
You can easily make Lasagna Soup gluten-free by choosing gluten-free lasagna noodles or your favorite hearty gluten-free pasta. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving big, nostalgic comfort with a fresh twist, Lasagna Soup is the answer. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy Sunday supper, this crowd-pleaser brings all the love of traditional lasagna, but with way less fuss. Invite your favorite people over, dish up a bowl, and let this creamy, cheesy wonder work its magic—you’ll be hooked after the first spoonful!
PrintLasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This hearty Lasagna Soup is a comforting twist on the classic dish, packed with all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a cozy, soup form. It’s perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cups)
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more to thin as desired
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 3/4 tsp dried basil
- 3/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 8 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Soup: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Saute Onion and Garlic: Add the remaining olive oil to the pot, saute the onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Cook the Soup: Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, and the cooked beef. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta in a bowl.
- Finish the Soup: Cook the lasagna noodles separately, then stir them into the soup along with the cheese mixture and parsley. Adjust consistency with more broth if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, top with cheese mixture, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- If you prefer less garlic, reduce the cloves used.
- If you lack specific herbs, Italian seasoning can be used as a substitute.
- Campanelle or bowtie pasta can be used as alternatives to lasagna noodles.
- Add extra broth if preparing leftovers or simmer noodles with the soup for 12 minutes if serving immediately.
- Consider adding diced carrots for extra veggies.
- Optional: Omit sugar and fennel seeds for a simpler ingredient list.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl