If you’re on the hunt for a bowl of pure cozy comfort, look no further than Easy Lasagna Soup. This soul-warming dish takes everything you adore about classic lasagna—rich tomato sauce, savory meat, tender noodles, and gooey cheese—and tucks it into a hearty soup form that’s perfect for any night of the week. With bold Italian flavors and a finish of creamy cheese on top, it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone running to the kitchen. You won’t believe just how satisfying and fuss-free this twist on lasagna can be!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Easy Lasagna Soup are delightfully simple, but each one plays an important role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color. Don’t skip any if you want the full, classic experience!
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps develop depth when browning the meat and onions.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: The heart of the soup—use either for a robust, savory base.
- Yellow onion (diced): Provides sweetness and aromatic flavor that elevates the broth.
- Garlic (minced): Essential for that irresistible Italian aroma; fresh garlic makes all the difference.
- Dried oregano: Infuses the broth with classic Mediterranean herb notes.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle spicy kick that brightens the entire bowl.
- Tomato paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and adds a lovely richness.
- Crushed tomatoes (28-ounce can): The backbone of your tomato broth—go for fire-roasted if you like extra smokiness.
- Chicken or beef broth: Keeps it all luscious and soupy while adding savory depth.
- Lasagna noodles (broken into pieces): Brings in that classic lasagna feel and fun texture—don’t forget to break them up first!
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for rounding out all the flavors, so don’t skimp here.
- Ricotta cheese: The creamy star of the cheese topping—soft, mild, and dreamy.
- Shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully for that iconic lasagna cheese stretch.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Sharp, salty, and nutty—just a touch adds huge flavor to every spoonful.
- Chopped fresh basil: Sprinkled on top for a burst of color and a hit of fresh, peppery goodness.
How to Make Easy Lasagna Soup
Step 1: Brown the Meat and Build Your Flavor Base
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once shimmering, add in your ground beef or Italian sausage. Break it up with a sturdy wooden spoon and sauté until it loses its pink color and starts to brown—this is where those deep, hearty flavors begin! When the meat is almost fully cooked, toss in your diced onion. Let the onion soften for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and fragrant. This mix forms the base of your Easy Lasagna Soup and guarantees richness in every sip.
Step 2: Stir in Aromatics and Tomato Paste
Stir in the garlic, oregano, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if you want a little heat. Cook for a minute, just until the garlic is fragrant, but don’t let it brown. Add in the tomato paste and stir vigorously. This quick step gives it a beautiful, bold tomato backbone and that signature lasagna zing.
Step 3: Pour in Tomatoes and Broth
Next, tip in the crushed tomatoes and pour in your broth. Give everything a big stir to combine all the lovely bits from the bottom of the pot. Crank up the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil; this stage helps meld all those flavors together for a truly hearty soup base.
Step 4: Add Noodles, Season, and Simmer
Once your soup is bubbling away, add the broken lasagna noodles straight into the pot. Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 12 to 15 minutes; the noodles should be tender but not mushy, just like in a traditional lasagna. Give an occasional stir to keep the noodles from sticking.
Step 5: Prepare the Luscious Cheese Topping
While the soup simmers, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a small bowl. Mix until it’s creamy and well-blended; this cheesy mixture will mimic the luscious filling and topping of a classic lasagna. It’s the secret that takes Easy Lasagna Soup over the top.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the hot soup into wide bowls and top each with a generous scoop of your cheese mixture. Finish with a shower of fresh chopped basil. Let the warmth of the soup just begin to melt the cheese before digging in. The result is cheesy, savory, and absolutely irresistible!
How to Serve Easy Lasagna Soup
Garnishes
A truly great bowl of Easy Lasagna Soup deserves an equally special finishing touch. Top each bowl with a dollop of the cheese mixture, then scatter with plenty of chopped fresh basil. For added flair, you can sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or a hint of cracked black pepper. Even a light drizzle of good olive oil can be amazing here, giving your soup a glossy, inviting look.
Side Dishes
While this soup is hearty enough to shine on its own, you can make your meal extra memorable with a crusty loaf of Italian bread or garlic knots for dunking. A simple leafy green salad with a tangy vinaigrette brightens things up beautifully. If you want to go all out, add roasted vegetables or a zippy antipasto platter for a full Italian-inspired feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your creativity run wild! Try serving Easy Lasagna Soup in oven-safe bowls and running them under the broiler for one minute to melt and brown the cheese topping (just like classic French onion soup). For a dinner party, serve smaller portions in teacups or mini cocottes with basil sprigs tucked on the side. Or set up a “build your own” bar and let everyone add their favorite toppings—more cheese, extra herbs, or even a drizzle of chili oil for heat lovers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer both the soup and the cheese mixture to separate airtight containers. This keeps the flavors vibrant and the noodles from absorbing too much broth. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days—just reheat and add the cheese topping when you’re ready for another bowl.
Freezing
Easy Lasagna Soup is perfect for stashing away as an emergency dinner. To freeze, let the soup cool completely before ladling into freezer-safe containers, leaving out the cheese topping. Freeze for up to three months. When you need a cozy meal, thaw overnight in the fridge or gently reheat from frozen, then add fresh cheese before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the soup in a pot over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the noodles have soaked up too much liquid. Stir occasionally to ensure everything heats evenly. Ladle into bowls, add the chilled cheese mixture, and garnish with basil for that straight-from-the-stovetop flavor and charm.
FAQs
Can I make Easy Lasagna Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap out the meat for a plant-based sausage or simply add extra vegetables like diced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef, and you’ve got a vegetarian version everyone will love.
What type Main Course
While broken lasagna noodles give the most authentic texture, any short pasta will work beautifully—try rotini, fusilli, or even penne. Just keep an eye on the cooking time since smaller shapes may cook faster.
Is there a way to make Easy Lasagna Soup gluten-free?
Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free lasagna noodles or substitute a gluten-free short pasta. The soup remains every bit as delicious and satisfying as the original.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
You sure can. Brown the meat and onion first, then add all ingredients except the noodles and cheeses to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4. Add the noodles in the last 30 minutes, then serve with the cheese mixture and fresh basil.
How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy in leftovers?
The best way is to store the noodles separately from the liquid if you know you’ll be saving extras. If everything is already combined, just add a bit more broth when reheating, and avoid cooking the noodles too long in the first place—they should be just tender when you turn off the heat.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about serving up a big, steamy bowl of Easy Lasagna Soup—especially when you see how happy it makes everyone around the table. It’s comfort food with a twist, and once you try it, there’s no going back. Give it a try, make it your own, and enjoy every cheesy, cozy spoonful!
Print
Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Lasagna Soup recipe brings all the flavors of classic lasagna in a comforting bowl of soup. It’s a hearty and delicious one-pot meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or beef broth
- 8 lasagna noodles (broken into pieces)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Topping:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish:
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Cook the aromatics: Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Add tomato and broth: Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil.
- Cook the noodles: Add broken lasagna noodles, salt, and pepper. Simmer until noodles are tender.
- Prepare cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with cheese mixture, garnish with basil, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or skip the meat altogether.
- You can use any short pasta in place of lasagna noodles.
- Store leftovers separately from the cheese topping for best texture.
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