Hearty Lasagna Soup: One-Pot Comfort Meal (Print Version)

Craving lasagna without the fuss? This hearty Lasagna Soup recipe delivers all those rich, savory layers in an easy, comforting bowl. Perfect for busy nights!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb ground Italian sausage (mild or hot, or lean ground beef)
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
05 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
06 - 6 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)

→ Flavor Boosters & Pasta

07 - 2 tsp Italian seasoning
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
10 - 1/2 lb lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheesy Swirl & Toppings

12 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
15 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

→ Optional Extras

17 - A splash of heavy cream for extra richness
18 - Handful of fresh spinach, stirred in at the end

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab a nice big pot, a Dutch oven works wonders here. Heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground Italian sausage (or beef) and break it up with a spoon. You want it beautifully browned, no sad gray bits! Drain off any excess fat, because honestly, too much grease isn't fun. Then, add your chopped onion and cook until it softens and smells sweet, about 5-7 minutes. This stage always makes my kitchen smell like a proper Italian nonna's house, even if I'm just wearing mismatched socks and a stained apron.
02 - Now for the garlic! Stir in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for just about a minute until it’s fragrant – don't let it burn, that's a mistake I made once, and the whole soup had a bitter edge, oops! Next, pour in your crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes. Add the beef broth, Italian seasoning, and dried oregano. Give it a good stir, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot; that's where all the flavor hides! Bring the Lasagna Soup mixture to a simmer.
03 - Once your soup is happily simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes. This lets all those flavors meld together beautifully. After that, uncover and carefully add your broken lasagna noodles. Stir them in and cook, uncovered, according to package directions until they're al dente. This is where I always forget to stir enough, and sometimes a few noodles stick together. Keep an eye on it, you don't want mushy pasta, trust me!
04 - While the pasta cooks, let's get our cheese game on. In a small bowl, combine your ricotta cheese, about half of the shredded mozzarella, and a good sprinkle of Parmesan. Season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper. This mixture is going to create those delightful creamy pockets in our Lasagna Soup, just like the real deal! I often add a little fresh parsley to this too, just because it looks pretty and adds a fresh lift. Don't overmix, just combine it gently.
05 - Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, turn off the heat. Ladle the hot Lasagna Soup into individual bowls. Now for the fun part: dollop a generous spoonful of your ricotta cheese mixture onto each serving. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. The heat from the soup will start to melt the cheese, creating those irresistible gooey strands. Sometimes I get a little messy here, with cheese everywhere, but it's all part of the charm, right?
06 - Finish each bowl of Lasagna Soup with a scattering of fresh basil and parsley. The aroma of the fresh herbs against the rich soup is just *chef's kiss*. Serve immediately and watch everyone dig in. The final result should look like a vibrant, comforting bowl of goodness, smelling like pure Italian heaven. It’s warm, it’s cheesy, and it’s everything you want a lasagna to be, but in a fraction of the time. Honestly, it's a triumph!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook the lasagna noodles; they absorb liquid quickly and can become mushy if left too long.
02 - For best leftovers, cook pasta separately and add to individual bowls when reheating to maintain texture.
03 - Swap ground Italian sausage for ground turkey or beef, just remember to add extra seasoning!
04 - Serve this Lasagna Soup with crusty garlic bread for dipping - it's an absolute must for maximum comfort!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 520
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 28g