Warm, Hearty, and Irresistible
There’s something undeniably magical about the rich, hearty flavors of lasagna. But let’s face it—on busy days, assembling all those layers can feel like climbing a culinary mountain. Enter lasagna soup: a one-pot wonder that delivers all the deliciousness of traditional lasagna with a fraction of the effort. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for cozy dinners. Here’s how to make it your new favorite meal.
Lasagna Soup Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage or a mix of both
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 can 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
- 8 lasagna noodles broken into bite-sized pieces (or any pasta you prefer)
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
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Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
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Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
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Build the Soup Base: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
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Cook the Pasta: Add the broken lasagna noodles directly into the soup. Cook until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes.
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Prepare the Toppings: While the soup simmers, mix the ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan together in a small bowl. This cheesy mixture will mimic the creamy layers of traditional lasagna.
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Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a dollop of the cheese mixture on top of each serving and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve with crusty bread for dipping and enjoy!
