There’s something incredibly cozy about this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe. It’s like enjoying all the comfort of classic lasagna, but in a warm, bowl-friendly form that’s perfect for busy weeknights or chilly days.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t get enough of this soup when the weather turns cool. It brings all the familiar flavors of lasagna—rich tomato, hearty sausage, cheesy goodness—but without the fuss of layering noodles and baking. Plus, it’s wonderful for leftovers!
- Quick Comfort Food: You get the cozy satisfaction of lasagna without hours in the kitchen.
- One-Pot Magic: Everything cooks together in one pot, meaning less cleanup—a win in my book!
- Customizable Flavors: From the seasoning to the cheese topping, you can really make it your own.
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike love this soup, making it great for gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe works together to give you those classic lasagna notes in a soup form. From the spicy-salty Italian sausage to the melty cheeses, here’s why I love the combo I use (and some tips for picking the best).
- Ground Italian sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and a bit of spice—choose sweet or spicy based on your preference.
- White onion: Softens and sweetens when cooked, creating a delicious base.
- Minced garlic: Brings a punch of aroma and depth—fresh is always best here.
- Beef broth: Gives hearty body to the soup, making it more substantial than just water or veggie broth.
- Tomato sauce & diced tomatoes: The heart of this soup’s lasagna flavor, providing tang and sweetness.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that’s crucial for capturing that classic Italian taste.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and balances the flavors.
- Bay leaves: Infuse the broth with subtle earthy notes—remember to remove before serving!
- Lasagna pasta: Broken into bite-sized pieces, it holds up well in the soup and mimics the noodles in traditional lasagna.
- Cheese topping (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan): The creamy, melty finish that really sells this as “lasagna in a bowl.”
Make It Your Way
I love how adaptable this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe is. Feel free to play around with the sausage type or even swap in different cheeses—making it your own is part of the fun!
- Variation: I once swapped Italian sausage with ground turkey for a lighter version and honestly, it still packed plenty of flavor. Using bow tie pasta instead of broken lasagna noodles also works great if that’s what you have on hand.
- Dietary tweaks: For a dairy-free twist, try skipping the cheese topping or use plant-based alternatives—you won’t miss out on the hearty part.
- Seasonal touches: Fresh basil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes on top can add a fresh or spicy kick depending on your mood.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage to Build Flavor
Heat your large pot over medium-high heat and add the ground Italian sausage. I like to break it into small, bite-sized pieces right away for even cooking and texture. It usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to get a nice brown crust. Don’t rush this step—those browned bits are where the magic starts. Once it’s browned, drain the excess grease so your soup won’t be too oily.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic for a Flavorful Base
Return the pot to medium-high heat and toss in your diced onion. Cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes until soft and translucent—this sweetens the soup naturally. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook it just until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Garlic can burn fast, so keep an eye on it and stir frequently.
Step 3: Add the Tomato and Broth Ingredients
Now comes the hearty stuff. Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and pop in the bay leaves. Give everything a good stir to combine. Crank the heat up to bring it to a simmer—this step wakes up the flavors.
Step 4: Simmer the Soup and Cook the Noodles
Turn your heat down to medium-low and let the soup gently simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. This allows all those flavors to marry beautifully. Once that’s done, break your lasagna pasta into 1-2 inch pieces and stir them in. Cook another 12 to 15 minutes or until the noodles are tender but still hold a little bite—never mushy!
Step 5: Mix the Cheese Topping and Serve
While the noodles cook, mix ricotta, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. When the soup is ready, ladle it into bowls and top with a generous dollop of this cheesy mixture. It melts beautifully into the hot soup, creating that lasagna feel with each spoonful.
Top Tip
I’ve made this soup countless times, and a few little tricks help it shine and stay stress-free. These bits of advice come from my experience and some happy accidents.
- Don’t Skimp on Browning: Taking your time to brown the sausage well makes all the difference in flavor depth.
- Watch the Garlic: Garlic burns quickly—add it last and keep stirring to avoid bitterness.
- Adjust Liquid as Needed: If your pasta soaks up too much broth while cooking, just add a splash of beef broth or water to keep it soupy and delicious.
- Mix Your Cheese Well: For the cheese topping, stir everything together just enough to combine; too much mixing can make the ricotta watery.
How to Serve Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my lasagna soup with that creamy cheese mixture, but sometimes I add a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for brightness. A crack of black pepper and a dusting of extra Parmesan never hurts either — these little touches make the soup feel extra special to me.
Side Dishes
Garlic bread is my go-to side. It’s perfect for dunking, and those crispy, buttery edges are irresistible. A simple Caesar salad or steamed green veggies round out the meal nicely, giving a fresh contrast to the rich soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or dinner parties, I’ve served this soup in mini soup crocks with the cheese dollop looking like a little snowcap. Adding a side of roasted cherry tomatoes or a drizzle of basil oil on top instantly makes it feel festive and restaurant-worthy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover lasagna soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor actually deepens overnight, which means it tastes even better the next day—one of my favorite perks!
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup a couple of times. Just be sure the pasta doesn’t get overcooked before freezing to avoid mushiness after thawing. I usually freeze the soup without the cheese topping, then add fresh cheese when reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, stove top is best—low and slow with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. If you add the cheese topping before reheating, it can get a bit grainy, so adding it fresh is always my trick for that melty, creamy finish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can substitute ground beef for Italian sausage, but you might want to add a bit of extra Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to mimic the sausage’s flavor profile.
Broken lasagna noodles are traditional here, but bite-sized pasta like penne, bow tie, or rigatoni work beautifully as well, just make sure to adjust cooking time to keep them al dente.
Absolutely! Swap the sausage for hearty mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You might also want to boost the herbs and spices to keep the flavor rich.
To avoid mushy pasta, cook the noodles al dente before adding to the soup, and if you plan to freeze or store leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it when serving or reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it perfectly blends comfort and convenience. Whether it’s a hectic weeknight or a lazy weekend day, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and satisfying to eat. Give it a try and soon, it might just be your go-to soup too—comfort in every spoonful, no baking required!
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Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Homemade Lasagna Soup combines the rich flavors of traditional lasagna into a comforting and hearty soup. Featuring Italian sausage, lasagna pasta, and a creamy three-cheese topping, this recipe is perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 5 teaspoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ pound lasagna pasta, broken into pieces (about 2 cups)
Cheese Topping
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease, then return the pot to medium-high heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 7 minutes. Stir in 5 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add liquids and spices: Stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 can tomato sauce, and 2 cans diced tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 bay leaves. Stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the soup gently simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the pasta: Break ½ pound lasagna pasta into bite-size pieces (1 to 2 inches). Stir them into the soup and cook for 15 minutes, or until noodles are al dente. Remove pot from heat and discard bay leaves.
- Prepare cheese topping: While noodles cook, in a medium bowl combine 16 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- If the pasta absorbs too much liquid, add more beef broth as needed to reach desired consistency.
- You can substitute lasagna pasta with other bite-size pasta such as bow tie or penne.
- For a spicier soup, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes during the sauté of onion and garlic.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; stir well before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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