Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe

Today I’m bringing you a truly cozy, soul-satisfying bowl of comfort that delivers all the amazing flavors of classic lasagna without any of the fussy layering! This Easy Lasagna Soup is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. It’s hearty, rich with savory tomato flavor, perfectly seasoned, and finished with a dreamy, creamy dollop of cheese. Trust me, you are going to absolutely adore how quickly this comes together—it’s pure magic in a pot!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultimate Comfort in 40 Minutes: Seriously, ditch the lengthy assembly process! You get that rich, complex lasagna flavor in just a fraction of the time. This one’s a game-changer for busy nights.
• The Best Part is the Topping: We skip the heavy baking and instead finish each bowl with a luscious, mixed-cheese topping of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It melts perfectly into the hot soup for that classic, creamy “lasagna bite.”
• Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with ground meat, tender pasta, and a robust tomato base, this soup is a full meal in a bowl that will leave everyone feeling happily full.

Ingredients

All you need for this incredible Lasagna Soup is about 40 minutes of your time and a good sturdy pot! But first, let’s gather up these delicious flavor builders.

• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing our aromatics and building the foundational flavors.
• Lean Ground Beef or Turkey: This is what makes the soup hearty! Use whatever ground meat you prefer—both soak up the tomato sauce beautifully.
• Small Onion and Garlic: The dynamic duo of flavor! These aromatics are key to giving the sauce that slow-simmered, savory depth.
• Dried Basil and Oregano: The non-negotiables for any good Italian-style sauce. Don’t skip these—they bring that quintessential lasagna taste.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): Just a little pinch to give the soup a subtle, warm kick. If you like things spicy, go ahead and add a bit more!
• Tomato Paste: This might be small, but it’s mighty! Cooking it for a minute helps intensify its sweetness and gives the soup a deeper, richer tomato flavor.
• Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: The base of our beautiful, rustic sauce. Crushed tomatoes give great texture, while the sauce keeps it liquid and smooth.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Our liquid gold! Broth adds savory dimension compared to just using water.
• Lasagna Noodles: The fun part! Breaking them into bite-sized pieces makes this soup so much easier to eat (and cook!) than traditional lasagna.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Seasoning, seasoning, seasoning! Don’t forget to taste and adjust these at the end.
• Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan Cheese: The crowning glory! This creamy blend of cheeses is a non-negotiable must-have topping for that authentic lasagna experience.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley: For a beautiful pop of color and freshness right before serving.

Note: The exact measurements for these ingredients will be provided for you in the full recipe card located right below this article!

How to Make the Easy Lasagna Soup

You are only a few simple steps away from digging into this deliciousness!

Step 1: Start with the Meat and Aromatics

Heat your olive oil in a large pot (a Dutch oven works great!) over medium heat. Add your ground meat and cook it until it’s nicely browned, making sure to break it up as you go. Once cooked, drain off any extra fat—we want flavor, not grease! Now, toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté them for about 2–3 minutes until they smell amazing and have softened up a bit.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Stir in the basil, oregano, and those optional red pepper flakes. Crucially, stir in the tomato paste next and let it cook for about a minute. This little bit of time really wakes up the herbs and deepens the flavor of the paste—trust me, it makes a difference!

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Give everything a good stir to make sure the tomato paste is dissolved and bring the mixture up to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

Add your broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for 12–15 minutes. Make sure you stir occasionally to keep those noodles from sticking to the bottom or to each other! You want them tender, but still with a nice bite.

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Cheese Prep

Once the noodles are tender, give the soup a final taste and season it with salt and black pepper until it’s perfect. While the soup simmers, quickly combine the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a small bowl.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle that piping hot, comforting soup into your bowls. Top each serving with a generous, dollop of the creamy cheese mixture—don’t be shy! Finish it off with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately. Pure cozy heaven!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Keep an eye on the cooking time (12–15 minutes is usually perfect). If the noodles are cooked too long, they will absorb too much liquid and get mushy, and you’ll end up with less soup and more… well, mush!
• Stir Often: Because those lasagna noodles are starchy, they can easily stick together or to the bottom of the pot. Stirring every few minutes while they cook is the key to keeping them separate and tender.
• For Extra Richness: If you want a slightly richer, smoother soup, you can stir in about $1/4$ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half right before serving.
• Use Good Broth: Since broth is a major liquid component, using a high-quality, flavorful chicken or vegetable broth will make a noticeable difference in the final taste.

How to Serve

This soup is definitely a satisfying meal all on its own, but here are a few ways to complete the dining experience!

• The Essential Bread: You absolutely need something to dunk! Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread, crusty Italian bread, or a few easy breadsticks.
• Keep it Light on the Side: Pair the hearty soup with a simple, refreshing side salad dressed with a bright vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• A Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied, acidic red wine like a Chianti or a simple Montepulciano d’Abruzzo would complement the tomato base beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

This soup is fantastic for meal prep! Just note that the noodles will continue to soften and absorb liquid as it sits.

Storing Leftovers

Allow the soup to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may need to add a splash of extra broth when reheating.

Freezing

You can freeze this soup, but for the best texture, I recommend cooking the soup without the noodles. Freeze the broth/meat mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight, bring the broth mixture to a simmer, and then add the noodles and cook them fresh!

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat larger batches on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If the soup is too thick (which often happens when the noodles soak up liquid), simply stir in a splash of water or extra broth until it reaches your desired consistency.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different kind of pasta in this soup?Absolutely! While lasagna noodles are classic for the name, you can definitely substitute them with other sturdy, short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or even rigatoni. You’ll get the same comforting, hearty texture and flavor, but you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the type of pasta you choose. Just cook until al dente!
2. How can I make this soup vegetarian?It’s super easy to make this meat-free! Simply skip the ground beef or turkey and sauté some chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or a plant-based ground meat alternative in Step 1. You could also increase the amount of canned crushed tomatoes or add an extra can of beans (like kidney or cannellini) for added protein and texture. Make sure to swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth!
3. The soup looks too thick after sitting overnight. How do I fix it?This is totally normal! The cooked pasta continues to absorb the liquid in the fridge. To fix it, just add $1/2$ cup to 1 cup of extra chicken broth or water when you reheat it on the stovetop. Stir it in gradually until the soup reaches the perfect, ladle-able consistency you love.
4. Can I add more vegetables to the soup?Please do! This soup is very forgiving and loves extra veggies. You can easily stir in chopped carrots, celery, or diced bell peppers along with the onion and garlic in Step 2. You could also toss in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking—it adds a nice pop of color and extra nutrients!