There is truly nothing like a steaming bowl of Italian-American comfort food cradled in your hands on a chilly evening. This recipe transforms that rich, layered experience into an easy, satisfying soup format. You get all the savory depth and cheesy goodness you crave without all the heavy lifting of traditional baking. I call this wonderful creation my Lasagna Recipe Soup because it hits every single nostalgic note perfectly.
Frankly, this soup is a lifesaver on busy Tuesday nights. We often eat it straight from the pot, too. Leftovers keep beautifully, turning even better the next day. Plus, making this quick lasagna alternative means less cleanup, which always wins the day for me.
Why I Love This Recipe
I adore this take on the classic bake. It truly shrinks dinner time. Here’s why this comfort food soup earned a permanent spot on my rotation:
- Weeknight Wonder: Dinner is ready in an hour, folks.
- Maximum Flavor: It captures the soul of lasagna beautifully.
- Simple Prep: Fewer fussy layers means less kitchen stress.
Honestly, serving this Lasagna Recipe Soup feels like a culinary hug. It is hearty comfort without the heavy commitment. Who needs a fussy casserole when you have this?
Lasagna Recipe Soup Ingredients
Gathering these simple components feels like assembling the building blocks for pure Italian delight. The real magic happens when the humble broth swirls with those rich tomato notes. This combination delivers that unmistakable, deep flavor profile we know and love.
Let’s look at what makes this Italian soup so spectacular. Remember, full measurements live on your recipe card below.
- Ground Beef or Italian Sausage: This forms the hearty backbone of our dish, lending deep savoriness.
- Yellow Onion and Garlic: These aromatics create the essential base layer of savory depth.
- Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, and Paste: They bring the necessary acidity and intense tomato concentration.
- Beef or Chicken Broth: This liquid transforms everything into a wonderful, brothy soup base.
- Dried Oregano and Basil: These herbs provide that classic, fragrant Italian seasoning everyone expects.
- Lasagna Noodles: These break down nicely, thickening the soup while keeping the texture authentic.
Substitutions and Tips
Sometimes substitutions just save the day. You can easily swap the meat for browned lentils for a vegetarian option. Also, if you lack fresh parsley, dried parsley works fine in a pinch. For a flavor boost, try adding a splash of red wine when you cook the onions. This deepens the tomato flavor wonderfully. If you prefer a less spicy soup, skip the red pepper flakes entirely. Seriously, feel free to experiment with different kinds of ground meat, too!
How to Make Lasagna Recipe Soup

Making this delicious Lasagna Recipe Soup is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these steps closely. You will have a steaming bowl ready soon. We are building layers of flavor here, just like the real deal.
Step 1: Brown the Meat and Aromatics
Heat your olive oil first in a big pot. Use medium-high heat for this. Add your ground beef or sausage. Cook it well. Break the meat apart as it browns. Drain all the extra grease away. Nobody wants a greasy soup base.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
Toss in your chopped yellow onion now. Cook it for about five to seven minutes. We want those onions soft and sweet. Then, add the minced garlic. Cook it for just one more minute. Garlic burns quickly, so watch it closely.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Stir in your crushed tomatoes next. Add the tomato sauce too. Next goes in the tomato paste. Pour in the beef or chicken broth. Sprinkle your oregano and basil. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes now. Bring the mixture up to a simmer. This forms our savory Italian soup base.
Step 4: Simmer for Flavor
Season this liquid generously with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat down low. Cover the pot for simmering time. Let it cook for twenty minutes minimum. Longer simmering means deeper flavor development. This step is key for a rich comfort food soup.
Step 5: Cook the Noodles
Now it is time for the pasta. Add your broken lasagna noodles to the soup. Cook these for ten to fifteen minutes time. Stir the pot often while they cook. This stops the noodles from sticking together badly. You want tender noodles, not mush.
Step 6: Add Creaminess (Optional)
If richness is what you seek, add the heavy cream. Half-and-half works well also here. Stir it gently until combined smoothly. Taste your soup again. Adjust the salt level if needed now.
Step 7: Prepare the Cheesy Topping
While the noodles finish, prepare your topping. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese well. Add the Parmesan cheese inside. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Season this mixture slightly with salt and pepper. This cheesy dollop is essential.
Step 8: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Place a spoonful of the ricotta mixture on top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese last. Serve this amazing Lasagna Recipe Soup immediately. Enjoy that warm, Italian flavor right away.
How to Store Lasagna Recipe Soup
Storing this wonderful soup is simple. Keep leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate them promptly after cooling down. They stay fresh for up to four days. For longer storage, this Lasagna Recipe Soup freezes beautifully. Portion single servings into freezer-safe bags first. Remember to omit the fresh ricotta topping before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop.
Tips for Success
- Noodle Management: Break noodles into smaller pieces first. This helps them cook evenly in the broth.
- Prevent Sticking: Stir frequently while noodles cook. They can settle and stick fast to the bottom.
- Deeper Flavor: Simmer the liquid base longer without noodles. This really concentrates the tomato taste.
- Ricotta Quality: Use whole milk ricotta for the best, creamiest texture on top.
- Spice Control: Only add mild amounts of the red pepper flakes. You can always add more later.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for holding all the broth. A stockpot works too.
- Large Spoon or Spatula: Needed for browning meat and frequent stirring.
- Cutting Board and Knife: For prepping onions and fresh parsley quickly.
- Small Bowl: Use this for mixing your simple ricotta topping mixture.

Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside crusty garlic bread for dipping pleasure.
- A simple green salad with vinaigrette cuts the richness nicely.
- This hearty ground beef soup pairs well with dry Italian red wine.
- Drizzle a tiny bit of good quality extra virgin olive oil over the top just before serving.
Lasagna Recipe Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and easy-to-make soup version of the classic Italian lasagna, featuring all the familiar flavors in a hearty, brothy format.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 6 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8–10 lasagna noodles, broken into 1–2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, for creaminess)
- For topping:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef or chicken broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. (For deeper flavor, simmer longer).
- Add the broken lasagna noodles to the soup. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If desired, stir in heavy cream or half-and-half for a richer, creamy soup. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- While the noodles cook, prepare the ricotta topping: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of the ricotta mixture and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The soup benefits from a longer simmering time for deeper flavor development.
- Ensure you stir the noodles frequently while cooking to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- If using ground beef, drain the fat thoroughly after browning.









