Spinach Lasagna Soup Recipe

Soup season might just be my favorite season, and while I adore a hearty, cheesy lasagna, sometimes I just don’t have the time (or patience!) for all that layering. That’s where this luscious soup comes in. It takes all the warm, comforting, savory flavors of traditional lasagna—the rich tomato, the fragrant herbs, the tender noodles, and that UNREAL cheesy topping—and transforms it into a quick, soul-warming bowl. You can literally have a fantastic, flavorful dinner ready in about 40 minutes. It’s the ultimate weeknight comfort food!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultimate Comfort in a Bowl: It delivers all the savory, cheesy, tomato-rich goodness of lasagna without the time-consuming layering and baking. Hello, quick weeknight fix!
• A Flavor Bomb: We’re talking rich ground turkey, fragrant Italian herbs, a hint of heat from chili flakes, and a savory broth that makes every spoonful irresistible.
• The Cheesy Topper: Forget melting the cheese inside—we’re creating a gorgeous dollop of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and salty Parmesan right on top. It’s the secret to that authentic lasagna flavor.
• Customizable Goodness: Whether you swap the protein or amp up the veggies, this recipe is super versatile and works for the whole family.

Ingredients

All you need for this gorgeous Spinach Lasagna Soup, and about 40 minutes! Yes, it really is that easy. But first, gather up these essential ingredients:

• Olive Oil: The perfect healthy fat to start building our flavor base.
• Onion: Sautéing this sweet and savory veggie creates the aromatic foundation for our whole soup.
• Garlic: Because can you even make Italian-inspired food without three cloves of minced, fragrant garlic? The answer is no!
• Ground Turkey: This lean protein keeps the soup hearty and delicious while making it a little lighter than traditional beef.
• Dried Basil & Dried Oregano: These two are the powerhouses of Italian flavor! They infuse the broth with that classic, savory taste we crave in lasagna.
• Chili Flakes: Just a tiny pinch is needed to give the soup a subtle warmth and delightful kick—it really elevates the tomato flavor.
• Vegetable Broth, Tomato Sauce, & Water: The liquid trio that creates our rich, deep-red, savory soup base.
• Lasagna Noodles: The star of the show! Breaking them into pieces means you get that signature pasta texture in every bite.
• Fresh Spinach: Stirring this in at the end adds a gorgeous green color and a subtle earthy flavor, plus, a hidden boost of healthy goodness!
• Ricotta Cheese, Shredded Mozzarella, & Grated Parmesan: This trifecta is what makes the creamy, salty, essential cheesy topping. Seriously, don’t skip this part!
• Salt and Black Pepper: Our standard seasoning heroes, ensuring all those wonderful flavors truly pop.

Note: The ingredients with precise measurements, along with the detailed cooking times and nutritional information, will be right under this article in the recipe card!

How to Make the Spinach Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Start the Sauté

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté gently for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute until you can smell that delicious fragrance filling your kitchen.

Step 2: Brown the Turkey and Season

Add the ground turkey to the pot. Cook it until it’s beautifully browned, using a spoon to break up the chunks as it cooks. Once browned, season generously with dried basil, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to coat everything in those amazing herbs.

Step 3: Build the Broth

Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and water. Turn up the heat to bring the mixture to a nice, gentle boil.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

Add the lasagna noodles, which you should have already broken into bite-sized pieces. Reduce the heat down to a simmer. Let the soup bubble gently for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom, until they are perfectly tender (al dente is great!).

Step 5: Wilt the Spinach

Toss the chopped fresh spinach right into the soup. Stir it gently for just 2 minutes until it wilts beautifully into the hot broth.

Step 6: Prepare the Cheesy Topping

While the soup finishes, in a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Get this ready to go!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle the hot, comforting soup into your bowls. The grand finale? Top each serving with a generous spoonful (or two!) of that gorgeous cheesy mixture. Watch it melt into the rich, tomato-y goodness. Dig in!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Keep a close eye on the cooking time in Step 4. You want the noodles to be perfectly tender, not mushy! If you plan to have leftovers, slightly undercooking the noodles is better, as they will continue to absorb liquid and soften as the soup cools.
• Cheese Consistency is Key: For an ultra-creamy, melty topping, make sure your ricotta is at room temperature before mixing. You can also add a tablespoon of milk or a splash of water to the cheese mixture if you prefer a slightly softer, more “dollop-able” texture.
• Amp up the Veggies: If you want more greens, feel free to toss in chopped carrots or celery with the onion in Step 1, or bulk up the spinach even more!
• Use High-Quality Tomato Sauce: Since the tomato sauce is a major flavor component, using a good quality, flavorful brand will make a huge difference in the final taste of your soup.

How to Serve

This soup is incredibly satisfying all on its own, but here are a few ways to complete this perfect meal:

• The Classic Pairing: You absolutely need a piece of something crusty and buttery! Serve alongside a simple side salad and a few slices of garlic bread or crusty Italian bread for dipping into that amazing broth.
• Fresh Garnishes: Finish the top with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley and an extra shaving of Parmesan cheese for a beautiful, gourmet touch.
• Make it Spicy: If you love heat, add a few more chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce right before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover soup in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the cheesy topping separately and add it fresh right before reheating.

Freezing

Freezing the soup is not recommended if the noodles are already cooked. The noodles will break down and become mushy upon thawing. If you want to freeze, prepare the soup base (everything except the noodles and cheese), freeze it, and then thaw, bring to a boil, and add the noodles fresh before serving.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water as the noodles will have soaked up a lot of the liquid during storage.

FAQs

1. Can I use ground beef or sausage instead of turkey?Absolutely! While ground turkey keeps this recipe lighter, you can easily swap it out for ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of the two. If you use a fattier meat like sausage, you may want to drain off a little excess fat after browning it in Step 3 for the best results.
2. My noodles soaked up all the broth! What should I do?This is common, especially with leftovers! Lasagna noodles are very absorbent. Simply add an extra $\frac{1}{2}$ cup to 1 cup of vegetable broth or water to the soup when reheating or before serving. Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper if needed to keep the flavor profile balanced.
3. Can I make this soup vegetarian?Yes! To make this vegetarian, simply skip the ground turkey (or replace it with plant-based ground meat) and add extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils to maintain that hearty texture. Use vegetable broth as listed, and the rest of the recipe stays the same!
4. What’s the best way to break the lasagna noodles?The easiest way is to hold the stack of noodles together and simply snap them by hand over the pot or a bowl. Aim for pieces that are about 1-2 inches in length. Don’t worry about perfect uniformity—the broken, irregular pieces add to the rustic, comforting charm of the soup!