Lasagna Soup Recipe
If you love all the rich, hearty flavors of traditional lasagna but want a quicker, cozier way to enjoy them, then this Lasagna Soup Recipe is exactly what you need in your life. Imagine all that cheesy goodness, tender noodles, savory tomato sauce, and Italian herbs coming together in one soul-warming bowl. It’s a comforting, family-friendly dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you want a meal that feels like a warm hug. Plus, it’s simple to make yet packed with layers of flavor that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Lasagna Soup Recipe lies in its straightforward, no-fuss ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building up the rich texture, vibrant color, and classic flavors that make this soup so irresistible. From the hearty ground beef to the creamy cheeses, everything works together in perfect harmony.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the meat and vegetables, adding a subtle fruity aroma.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: The hearty protein base that brings savory depth.
- Small onion: Diced and softened to add sweetness and texture.
- Garlic cloves: Minced to inject aromatic pungency.
- Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid that makes the soup comforting and full-bodied.
- Crushed tomatoes: Rich and chunky for a luscious tomato base.
- Diced tomatoes: Adds freshness and texture to the sauce.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor for that deep, concentrated taste.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that evokes traditional Italian flavors.
- Dried basil: Earthy, sweet notes enhancing the tomato richness.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
- Lasagna noodles: Broken into bite-sized pieces to mimic the layers of lasagna in soup form.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy, mild cheese for luscious dollops topping the soup.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melty, stringy cheese adding gooey comfort.
- Parmesan cheese: Sharp and nutty, perfect for finishing touches.
- Fresh basil or parsley: Bright, fragrant garnishes that elevate the final presentation.
How to Make Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Meat
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook it until it’s nicely browned, breaking up any chunks with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat to keep the soup from becoming greasy but retain that rich beefy flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Next, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 3 to 4 minutes until they turn soft and aromatic. This step builds the flavor base, with the onions mellowing out and the garlic releasing its beautiful fragrance.
Step 3: Add the Tomatoes and Broth
This is where your soup really starts to come alive. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Season with Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a boil, letting all those herbs and spices meld beautifully into the tomato broth.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles
Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles straight into the pot. Cook them for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they reach that perfect tender texture. These noodles are the heartbeat of your soup, turning it into a playful, comforting rendition of traditional lasagna.
Step 5: Prepare the Cheese Topping
While the noodles cook, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. This creamy, dreamy cheese blend will top each bowl of soup, adding that signature melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle your hot, steamy soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for that burst of color and freshness. Now, sit back and enjoy your bowl of happiness!
How to Serve Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like basil or parsley not only brighten the bowl visually but also add a refreshing note that cuts through the richness of the cheese and meat. A drizzle of quality olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can add another flavor dimension worth trying.
Side Dishes
This soup is wonderfully filling on its own, but for a complete meal, pair it with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread. The crispness and freshness from these sides balance the hearty richness of the lasagna soup beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in mini bread bowls or mason jars at a casual gathering. You can also offer separate bowls of mixed cheese toppings and chopped herbs to let guests customize their servings. The vibrant colors and textures will make your Lasagna Soup Recipe table ready for company.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld and deepen, so reheated leftovers can taste even more delicious than the first day.
Freezing
While this soup is best fresh to enjoy the texture of the noodles and fresh cheese, you can freeze the base (meat, broth, and tomato mixture) separately for up to 3 months. Add cooked noodles and cheese fresh when reheating to keep the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. Once warmed through, add fresh cheese topping before serving for that gooey melted finish.
FAQs
Can I make this Lasagna Soup Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can swap the ground beef or sausage for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or your favorite meatless crumbles. Using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth keeps the flavors hearty and rich without the meat.
What type of noodles work best for this soup?
Traditional lasagna noodles are ideal for authentic texture and flavor, but you can also use broken-wide egg noodles or even penne pasta if you want a quicker cook time or something easier to find.
Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the soup base ahead and refrigerate it without the noodles and cheese. Add them fresh when reheating to preserve the perfect texture and gooey cheese topping.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Simply omit the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, or substitute with your favorite dairy-free cheeses. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor punch if you’re avoiding dairy completely.
How spicy is this Lasagna Soup Recipe?
The recipe itself is mild and family-friendly, but you can always add crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or pepperoni slices to spice things up according to your taste.
Final Thoughts
This Lasagna Soup Recipe truly feels like a big, warm hug on a chilly day, effortlessly combining all the beloved flavors of classic lasagna into a satisfying bowl full of love. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet special enough to impress family and friends. So go ahead, give it a try, and make this cozy, cheesy soup a new favorite in your home!
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Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This hearty Lasagna Soup combines all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna in a comforting, easy-to-make soup. Ground beef, tomatoes, Italian herbs, and broken lasagna noodles simmer together to create a flavorful broth, topped with a cheesy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan mixture that melts deliciously into each bowl. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup is perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Broth and Tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the cooked meat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent, releasing their flavors.
- Add the Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well and bring the mixture to a boil to meld the flavors together.
- Cook the Noodles: Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the boiling soup. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the noodles are tender but not mushy, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Cheese Topping: While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese in a small bowl until well mixed and creamy.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, then top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a spicier flavor variation.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor or to make it more vegetarian-friendly (use vegetarian sausage or mushrooms instead of meat).
- Adding fresh basil or parsley at the end brightens up the flavors and provides a nice color contrast.
- For extra richness, stir some cream into the soup before serving.
- This soup tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
