One-Pot Lasagna Soup: The Ultimate Hearty & Easy Italian Comfort Food Recipe
Imagine all the rich, savory flavors of a classic Italian lasagna, but served in a comforting, steamy bowl of soup. This incredibly hearty lasagna soup recipe transforms traditional lasagna ingredients into a delightful one-pot meal, making it perfect for weeknights and family gatherings. Featuring tender lasagna noodles submerged in a deeply flavorful tomato broth, generously seasoned with authentic Italian herbs, and packed with both ground beef and savory Italian sausage, this dish promises warmth, satisfaction, and an explosion of classic Italian taste. Forget the fuss of layering; this simplified approach delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, ensuring it quickly becomes a crowd-pleasing favorite in your home.
Why This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe Works
This lasagna soup is essentially a brilliant deconstruction of a traditional Italian lasagna, cleverly reimagined for ultimate convenience without sacrificing any of the beloved flavors. It masterfully combines all the essential components you adore – creamy ricotta, sharp Parmesan, gooey mozzarella, aromatic Italian herbs, hearty ground beef, spicy or mild Italian sausage, sweet onion, and, of course, tender lasagna noodles – into a single, large pot of bubbling, comforting soup. The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity; there’s no laborious layering, no intricate stacking of ingredients, and no multiple baking dishes to wash. Instead, you get a simple-to-make, one-pot wonder brimming with layers of robust flavor, ready to warm you from the inside out. It’s an ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, homemade meal but are short on time, offering all the satisfaction of classic lasagna in a fraction of the time and effort.
Ingredients You Will Need for Homemade Lasagna Soup
To recreate this delicious lasagna soup, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples. Get all precise measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe version conveniently located at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing your options can help you customize this lasagna soup to your liking. Here’s a closer look:
MEAT – The combination of lean ground beef and Italian sausage offers a rich, complex flavor profile that is truly irresistible. If you prefer, you can certainly opt for either all ground beef or all Italian sausage, just as you would when making a traditional lasagna. For a lighter version, or if you’re looking for an alternative, feel free to substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken. Ensure whatever meat you choose is thoroughly browned and crumbled before adding other ingredients to develop a deep, savory base for your soup.
NOODLES – The lasagna noodles are the star that brings the “lasagna” to this soup. Soaking them briefly before adding them to the pot is a crucial step that helps to remove excess starch, preventing your soup from becoming overly gummy. This pre-soak also kickstarts the cooking process, allowing the noodles to finish cooking perfectly tender within the soup itself. An added benefit is that soaked noodles become much more pliable and easier to cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces, making them ideal for a soup texture.
BROTH & SAUCE – A high-quality marinara sauce forms the backbone of the rich, tomatoey broth. Combined with low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, it creates the perfect liquid base for our soup. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the seasoning, ensuring your soup isn’t overly salty. Feel free to use your favorite brand of marinara, or even homemade if you have it on hand, for the best possible flavor.
AROMATICS & HERBS – Onion and garlic are the foundation of many Italian dishes, and this soup is no exception. Diced yellow onion and minced garlic are sautéed to release their sweet and pungent aromas, setting the stage for the other flavors. Tomato paste adds a concentrated umami depth, while dried parsley, oregano, and basil infuse the soup with classic Italian warmth. Don’t underestimate the power of these simple herbs to elevate the entire dish.
CHEESE – The three-cheese blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan is what truly makes this soup taste like lasagna. Ricotta provides a creamy, slightly sweet element, mozzarella melts into gooey perfection, and Parmesan adds a salty, nutty, umami kick. This mixture is not cooked into the soup but rather dolloped on top when serving, providing a fresh, contrasting texture and burst of dairy goodness that is quintessential to lasagna.
How to Make Lasagna Soup
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, ground beef, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until both meats are thoroughly browned (this usually takes about 5 minutes).
- To the browned meat, add the marinara sauce, vegetable or chicken broth, diced onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, salt, dried parsley, ground pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- In the meantime, while the soup base is simmering, prepare your creamy cheese topping. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. Mix gently until just combined, then set this delicious mixture aside; it will be used for serving.
- Next, prepare your lasagna noodles. Place the dry lasagna noodles into a bowl or pan that is long and deep enough to fully submerge them in water. Gently stir them occasionally to prevent them from sticking together, and allow them to soak for 3 to 4 minutes. This brief soak will soften them slightly and remove some starch. Carefully remove the softened noodles from the water and place them onto a cutting board or any clean working surface. Using a chef’s knife, cut the noodles into your desired smaller pieces – squares or short strips work well for soup.
- Once the 20-minute simmering time for the soup base is complete, add the cut lasagna noodles to the pot. Stir gently to ensure they are fully submerged. Continue to cook the soup at a low boil until the noodles reach your desired tenderness, which typically takes an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
- After the noodles have cooked, remove the lid from the pot. Let the soup continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes without the lid. This allows the soup to thicken slightly and ensures the noodles are perfectly integrated.
- To serve, ladle generous portions of the hot lasagna soup into individual soup bowls. Garnish each serving by topping it with the remaining tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley. Then, add a generous dollop of the prepared cheese mixture (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan) right on top. For an extra touch of freshness and authentic Italian aroma, sprinkle with any additional fresh parsley and basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Lasagna Soup
Lasagna soup is absolutely best when served fresh, the day it’s made, as the lasagna noodles tend to continue absorbing the liquid and can become quite soft or mushy over time. However, if you do have leftovers, you can certainly store them. Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you’ll likely need to add a splash or two of extra broth (vegetable or chicken) to thin it back to your preferred consistency. For optimal results and to prevent mushy noodles, a smart tip is to cook and store the pasta separately from the broth. Then, combine them in individual portions right before reheating and serving.
Absolutely! To adapt this recipe for vegetarians, simply omit the ground beef and Italian sausage. You can replace the meat with plant-based ground crumbles, or add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for a heartier texture. Ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The rest of the ingredients and steps remain the same, providing a delicious meat-free lasagna soup experience.
Yes, you can freeze lasagna soup, but with a small caveat. The noodles can become very soft and lose their texture after thawing and reheating. For best results, it’s highly recommended to prepare and freeze the soup base (broth, meat, and vegetables) without the noodles. When you’re ready to serve, thaw the soup base, bring it to a simmer, then cook freshly soaked and cut lasagna noodles directly in the thawed soup until tender. This method ensures your noodles retain their ideal texture. Store the soup base in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
The consistency of your soup can be easily adjusted. If your lasagna soup is too thick for your liking, simply stir in additional vegetable or chicken broth a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate and thicken slightly. Alternatively, for a quick fix, you can mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering soup and cook for another minute or two until it thickens.
Serving Suggestions for Lasagna Soup
This hearty lasagna soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few choice sides to complete your Italian-inspired feast. Serve it alongside warm, crusty bread – perhaps our homemade Italian bread or savory garlic bread – perfect for soaking up every last drop of the rich broth. A fresh, crisp dinner salad with a light vinaigrette makes for a refreshing contrast to the soup’s richness. Remember to enjoy each warm bowl with a generous dollop of the creamy three-cheese mixture on top, along with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and basil for an authentic touch and vibrant color.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
- Pasta Fagioli
- Minestrone Soup
- Zuppa Toscana
- Baked Potato Soup
- Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup
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Lasagna Soup
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound ground Italian sausage
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 32 ounces marinara sauce 4 cups
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 10 lasagna noodles
- 9.5 ounces ricotta cheese full-fat
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, divided
- fresh basil and fresh parsley optional as garnish
Things You’ll Need
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7 quart Dutch oven
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Chef’s knife
Before You Begin
- Soaking the lasagna noodles before adding them to the pot will help remove the starch from them. They will finish cooking in the soup. The process of soaking them will also make it much easier to cut them into smaller pieces.
Instructions
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Heat a large soup pot over medium heat, add the sausage, ground beef, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook until browned (about 5 minutes).
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Add to the pot the marinara sauce, broth, onion, garlic, tomato paste, salt, dried parsley, ground pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil and bring to a boil. Once boiling cover pot with a lid and cook down on low for about 20 minutes.
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In the meantime, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley in a medium bowl and set aside for serving.
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Place noodles into a bowl or pan long and deep enough to fully submerge them in water. Gently stir them so that they don’t stick together, and soak for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove noodles, and place them onto a cutting board or any working surface. Cut into desired pieces.
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Add noodles to the pot, and cook to desired tenderness on a low boil, approximately 5 to 10 more minutes.
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Once the soup has cooked for 20 minutes, remove the lid, and cook for an additional 5 minutes with the noodles in.
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Top with the remaining tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley and serve into a soup bowl. Add a dollop of cheese mixture on top and any additional parsley and basil.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Lasagna soup is best served the day of, as the noodles will likely soak up a good portion of the liquid and become mushy. However, you can still store it in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, adding a bit more broth if needed when reheating. If you know you’ll have leftovers, feel free to cook and store the pasta separately from the broth and combine them when reheating.
- Can I make this vegetarian? Absolutely! Omit the ground beef and Italian sausage. Replace with plant-based crumbles or extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Can I freeze lasagna soup? For best results, freeze the soup base (meat, broth, vegetables) without the noodles. Cook fresh noodles when reheating the thawed soup. This prevents mushy pasta.
- What if my soup is too thick/thin? If too thick, add more broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water).
Nutrition
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post was originally published on this blog on Dec 24, 2022.