Hearty Lasagna Soup: A Cozy One-Pot Meal

Craving the comforting flavors of classic lasagna without all the fuss? Our one-pot Lasagna Soup is your new favorite recipe! This dish captures everything you love about traditional lasagna in a simple, easy-to-make soup format. It is hearty, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights, making it a true family favorite. Get ready to create a satisfying meal with minimal effort and maximum taste.

Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup

This Lasagna Soup brings all the classic flavors you adore into a streamlined, weeknight-friendly meal. It is designed for simplicity without sacrificing any of the rich, comforting taste. You will quickly discover why this recipe becomes a staple in your home.

• One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks in a single large pot, minimizing cleanup after dinner. This means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying.
• Classic Lasagna Flavors: Enjoy the familiar taste of savory meat, rich tomato, and creamy cheese, all combined in a warm bowl of soup. Each spoonful offers a delightful burst of flavor.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner: This recipe is designed to be on your table faster than traditional lasagna, perfect for busy evenings. You can achieve comfort food without a lengthy cooking process.
• Customizable Ingredients: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. Feel free to add extra vegetables or switch up the cheeses.
• Hearty and Satisfying: Loaded with ground meat, pasta, and a rich broth, this soup is incredibly filling. It guarantees a satisfying meal that will leave everyone feeling content.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients for your flavorful Lasagna Soup. You will combine savory meats, aromatic vegetables, and a rich blend of spices and cheeses for a truly comforting experience.

• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 recipe homemade marinara sauce (or 24 ounce marinara sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoons dried basil
• 7 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 9 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional)
• 10 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil, for serving

Notes & Substitutions

You have flexibility with many of the ingredients to tailor this Lasagna Soup to your taste. Choosing the right broth enhances the overall depth of flavor. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses and pasta shapes to make it uniquely yours.

Using low-sodium broth allows for better control over the overall seasoning of your dish, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. You can use either low-sodium chicken broth a healthy choice for your cooking for a richer flavor profile or vegetable broth for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option. Both provide an excellent base for this hearty soup.

For the cheese blend, cottage cheese makes a fantastic substitute for ricotta, offering a similar creamy texture and tangy taste. If you do not have traditional lasagna noodles, broken fettuccine or even rotini can work well in a pinch, though the wide lasagna pieces absorb the broth beautifully.

Boost the nutrition and texture by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini during the sautéing step. For a lighter version of this soup, opt for lean ground beef or ground turkey instead of the sausage and fattier ground beef.

Equipment

Making this Lasagna Soup is straightforward and requires only a few basic kitchen tools. These items help ensure a smooth cooking process from start to finish.

• Large Dutch oven or pot: Essential for browning meat and simmering the entire soup.
• Meat chopper/wooden spoon: Perfect for breaking up ground meat as it cooks.
• Cutting board and knife: For preparing the onion and garlic quickly and safely.
• Small mixing bowl: Used for combining the creamy cheese topping ingredients.

Instructions

Creating this comforting Lasagna Soup is a simple process, perfect for any home cook. Follow these clear steps to achieve a delicious and satisfying meal. Remember to keep an eye on your noodles to prevent them from becoming too soft.

1. Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break the meat apart with a meat chopper or wooden spoon as it cooks, seasoning it with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned.
2. Drain and Remove: Once the meat is browned, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. Remove the cooked meat and set it aside in a separate bowl. This step ensures your soup is not overly greasy.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Return the pot to medium heat and add the olive oil. Toss in the chopped yellow onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two until fragrant.
4. Build the Flavor Base: Stir the tomato paste into the sautéed onions and garlic, cooking for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh or dried parsley, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir these ingredients together until well combined.
5. Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked meat to the pot with the tomato mixture. Pour in the 7 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Stir everything together gently to mix.
6. Add Noodles: Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add the 9 lasagna noodles, which you should have broken into quarters or smaller, manageable pieces. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking.
7. Cook Noodles and Add Spinach: Continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the lasagna noodles are tender but still have a slight bite. If using, stir in the fresh spinach leaves during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. The heat from the soup will quickly wilt the spinach.
8. Prepare Cheese Topping: While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Stir these together until they form a creamy, cohesive mixture. This will be dolloped on top of each serving.
9. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot Lasagna Soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with a generous scoop of the prepared cheese mixture. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a final touch of aroma and flavor. Enjoy immediately!

Slow Cooker Instructions

You can adapt this comforting Lasagna Soup for your slow cooker, making it even more hands-off. This method is perfect for days when you need dinner ready with minimal fuss.

First, complete the initial browning of the ground beef and sausage as instructed in Drain the fat, then sauté the onion and garlic in a pan.

Transfer the browned meat, sautéed aromatics, tomato paste, marinara sauce, spices, and broth to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. About 30-45 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles directly into the slow cooker. Stir well and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.

If using, stir in spinach during the last 15 minutes. Serve with the fresh cheese topping and basil as directed.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect bowl of Lasagna Soup is easy with a few expert tips. These suggestions will help enhance your soup’s texture and flavor, ensuring a fantastic meal every time.

• Prevent Noodles from Clumping: Stir the soup frequently after adding the noodles to prevent them from sticking together. Adding a splash of olive oil to the pot with the noodles can also help keep them separate.
• Adjust Soup Consistency: If your soup becomes too thick as it cooks, simply add more chicken or vegetable broth, a quarter cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Enhance Flavor with Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs work, finishing your Lasagna Soup with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil brightens the flavors significantly. Discover more about using fresh herbs for vibrant flavor.
• Make a Rich, Flavorful Broth: Opt for a high-quality, low-sodium broth as it forms the base of your soup’s flavor. Homemade broth provides the deepest taste.
• Achieve Perfect Cheese Topping: Ensure your ricotta is at room temperature before mixing to get a smoother, more spreadable consistency for dolloping.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile Lasagna Soup is excellent on its own, but you can enhance the meal with complementary sides. Knowing how to properly store and reheat leftovers ensures you can enjoy this delicious soup for days.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this hearty Lasagna Soup with warm, crusty garlic bread or a baguette for dipping into the rich broth.
• Pair it with a light, fresh green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette to balance the richness of the soup.
• Offer an extra bowl of shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese at the table for guests to add more topping as they wish.

Storage & Reheating

• Cool completely before transferring any leftover soup to an airtight container. This prevents condensation and helps maintain freshness.
• Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, store the cheese topping separately if possible, or add it fresh upon reheating, ensuring your leftover soup tastes as good as freshly made.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Add extra broth if the soup has thickened too much in the refrigerator, as the noodles will continue to absorb liquid.

Variations

• Vegetarian Options: Omit the ground beef and sausage. Instead, sauté mushrooms, diced zucchini, bell peppers, and lentils with the onion and garlic for a robust vegetarian Lasagna Soup.
• Vegan Adjustments: Use plant-based ground meat or extra vegetables. Substitute the dairy cheeses with store-bought cashew ricotta and shredded plant-based mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Gluten-Free Pasta Alternatives: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or other GF pasta shapes that hold up well in soup.
• Spicy Kick: Increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or more, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy extra heat in their soup.

Nutrition Information

This comforting Lasagna Soup offers a hearty blend of protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients, making it a satisfying meal option. The following estimates are per serving.

Please note these are approximate values and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

This Hearty Lasagna Soup proves that ultimate comfort food can also be wonderfully simple and quick to prepare. It delivers all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna in a convenient one-pot meal that the whole family will adore. Whether you need a speedy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend treat, this customizable recipe fits the bill perfectly.

Give this incredible Lasagna Soup a try tonight, and prepare to add it to your regular meal rotation. We would love to hear your thoughts and any creative variations you discover in the comments below!

Hearty Lasagna Soup: A Cozy One-Pot Meal

This hearty one-pot lasagna soup brings all the comforting flavors of a classic lasagna in an easy-to-make soup format. Featuring ground beef and Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, and a rich tomato broth, it’s topped with a creamy blend of cheeses for a truly cozy meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot
• Small bowl

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 0.5 pound lean ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground Italian sausage
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 homemade marinara sauce or 24 ounce marinara sauce
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoons dried basil
• 7 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 9 lasagna noodles broken into pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves optional

Cheese Topping

• 10 ounces ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Garnish

• fresh basil for serving

Instructions

 

Preparation

• In a large pot, brown ground beef and sausage, seasoning with salt and pepper; drain grease and remove cooked meat.
• Heat olive oil in the same pot, sauté chopped onion for 5 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste, marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, basil, and chicken broth; return cooked meat to the pot.

Cooking

• Bring soup to a boil, add broken lasagna noodles, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until tender, stirring occasionally; add spinach if desired.

Cheese Mixture

• In a small bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan cheeses.

Serving

• Ladle hot soup into bowls, top with a dollop of cheese mixture, and garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable; feel free to adjust spice levels or substitute ground turkey for beef. Breaking the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces helps them cook evenly in the soup. For a richer flavor, you can use a high-quality homemade marinara sauce.