Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe (One-Pot Comfort Classic)

Lasagna will always be one of my favorite comfort-food dinners, but sometimes I want all that meaty, cheesy goodness without layering noodles and waiting for a casserole to bake. This soup delivers those same familiar flavors in a simpler stovetop meal that works especially well on busy weeknights and chilly evenings.

Why You'll Love This Lasagna Soup

• One-pot comfort food: The meat, tomato broth, and pasta all cook in the same pot.
• Ready in under an hour: It delivers slow-simmered flavor without an all-day cooking time.
• Hearty and satisfying: Ground beef and Italian sausage create a rich, meaty base.
• Classic lasagna flavor: The creamy ricotta and mozzarella topping gives each bowl that familiar cheesy finish.
• Easy to customize: Change the meat, pasta, spice level, or vegetables according to what you have.
• Family-friendly: Keep it mild for the whole family or add crushed red pepper for extra heat.

Ingredients You'll need

1. Ricotta cheese: Whole-milk ricotta creates a rich and creamy topping.
2. Mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
3. Fresh basil: Adds color and fresh herb flavor to the cheese mixture.
4. Ground beef: Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for a good balance of flavor and richness.
5. Italian sausage: Mild sausage keeps the soup family-friendly, while hot Italian sausage adds extra spice.
6. Onion and garlic: These aromatics build the savory base of the soup.
7. Italian seasoning: Adds the familiar basil, oregano, and herb flavor associated with lasagna.
8. Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and gives the broth more body.
9. Crushed tomatoes: Form the rich tomato base of the soup.
10. Prepared beef broth: Gives the soup a deeper savory flavor. You may use prepared broth or make it with broth base according to the package instructions.
11. Lasagna noodles: Break regular lasagna noodles into bite-size pieces before adding them to the soup. Mafalda, bow ties, rotini, or penne can also be used.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Lasagna Soup

1. Prepare the cheese topping

Combine the ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Cover the mixture and refrigerate it while you prepare the soup.

2. Brown the meat

Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large pot or Dutch oven, breaking the meat into smaller pieces as it browns. Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Add the aromatics

Cook the onion with the browned meat until it begins to soften. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste to build the flavor base.

4. Build the tomato broth

Add the crushed tomatoes and prepared broth. Stir everything together and allow the soup to simmer so the meat, tomatoes, and seasonings can develop a richer flavor.

5. Cook the pasta

Stir in the broken lasagna noodles and cook until they are just tender. Ladle the soup into bowls and finish each serving with the creamy ricotta mixture.

LaKita's Expert Tips

• Use a large pot. Once the noodles are added, the soup needs enough room to simmer without boiling over.
• Brown the meat instead of rushing it. Allowing the beef and sausage to develop some caramelized edges gives the broth more flavor.
• Drain only when needed. Remove excess grease, but leave a small amount behind to carry flavor into the onion and seasonings.
• Break the noodles into similar-size pieces. This helps them cook evenly and makes the soup easier to eat.
• Stop cooking at al dente. The noodles will continue softening as they sit in the hot broth.
• Season after adding the broth. Sausage and broth base may already contain plenty of salt, so taste before adding more.
• Keep extra broth nearby. Lasagna noodles absorb liquid as the soup rests. Add a splash of broth when reheating if it becomes too thick.
• Store the cheese topping separately. Add it to each warm bowl immediately before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use all ground beef: Omit the Italian sausage and replace it with additional ground beef.
• Make it lighter: Substitute lean ground turkey or ground chicken and use chicken broth.
• Make it spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes.
• Try another pasta: Mafalda, bow ties, rotini, or penne work if you do not have lasagna noodles.
• Add vegetables: Stir in baby spinach or finely chopped kale near the end of cooking.
• Make it extra cheesy: Sprinkle additional mozzarella or Parmesan over each serving.
• Make it meatless: Replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based ground meat and use vegetable broth.

Storage and Reheating

Allow leftover soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if the noodles have absorbed too much liquid. Individual servings may also be reheated in the microwave.

For the best freezer results, freeze the soup base without the noodles or cheese topping. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, reheat it on the stovetop, and cook fresh pasta in the soup before serving.

Fully prepared lasagna soup can also be frozen, but the noodles will have a softer texture after thawing.

What to Serve with Lasagna Soup

Serve lasagna soup with garlic bread, crusty bread, or a simple green salad. If you want to lean all the way into comfort-food territory, try it with Sweet Potato Cornbread or Southern Cracklin Cornbread.

Frequently asked questions

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you try this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I'd love to know how it turned out and whether you added anything extra to your bowl!