Name: Hearty Beef Lasagna Soup: Easy Weeknight Comfort Food!
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lb ButcherBox Ground Beef; ½ cup minced onion; 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves); 28 oz crushed tomatoes (low or no sodium); 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 4 cups low sodium beef broth; 2 cups water; 2 cups reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles (about 5 oz); Salt to taste; ¼ cup ricotta cheese (optional, for serving)

Lasagna Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary revelation that brings the beloved flavors of a classic Italian comfort food right to your dinner table with unparalleled ease. Imagine all the rich, hearty goodness of your favorite baked lasagna—layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy, bubbling cheese—now transformed into a comforting, soul-warming bowl that’s ready in a fraction of the time. No elaborate layering, no long oven bake, just pure, unadulterated Italian-inspired bliss delivered with delightful simplicity.

While the art of traditional lasagna boasts a centuries-old history as a cherished Italian staple, celebrated for its robust flavors and satisfying layers, this brilliant soup adaptation offers a modern, incredibly convenient take on the time-honored classic. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly people fall in love with this ingenious dish. It’s the perfect harmony of al dente pasta pieces, a deeply flavorful tomato and meat base, and luxurious dollops of ricotta and mozzarella that melt beautifully into the broth. This Lasagna Soup truly delivers that coveted taste and texture of baked lasagna, but with the delightful ease and warmth of a hearty soup. It’s an ideal solution for anyone craving robust, satisfying flavor without the extensive kitchen commitment. Prepare to make this a new family favorite!

Ingredients:

For the Soup Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin preferred
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy based on your preference (you can substitute with ground beef, chicken, or turkey)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity of tomatoes)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Noodles:
- 8-10 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces (about 6 ounces dry weight)
For the Creamy Ricotta Topping:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese, whole milk preferred for creaminess
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Garnish (Optional but Recommended):
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley
- A drizzle of good quality olive oil

Equipment You’ll Need:

Before we dive into the culinary adventure of crafting our Lasagna Soup, let’s ensure we have the right tools at our disposal. Having your equipment ready makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.

Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (at least 6-quart capacity): This will be our main vessel for building all the glorious layers of flavor in our soup.
Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula: Essential for browning meat, sautéing vegetables, and stirring the soup.

Cutting board and sharp knife: For preparing our aromatics like onion and garlic.
Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
Large bowl: For mixing our creamy ricotta topping.

Whisk or fork: For combining the ricotta mixture.
Ladle: For serving up generous portions of our delicious soup.

Preparing Our Flavorful Base:

Every great soup starts with a fantastic base, and our Lasagna Soup is no exception. This initial stage is all about building layers of savory depth that will define the entire dish. Take your time, savor the aromas, and get ready to create something truly special.

Brown the Italian Sausage: Begin by heating your large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the 1 pound of ground Italian sausage. Using your wooden spoon or spatula, break up the sausage into smaller, bite-sized pieces as it cooks. Stir frequently to ensure even browning. We’re looking for a rich, golden-brown color here, which means maximum flavor development. This process usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Once thoroughly browned, carefully drain off any excess grease from the pot, leaving just a thin film of flavorful drippings behind. This step is crucial for preventing a greasy soup and ensuring a clean, rich taste.
Sauté the Aromatics: With the sausage pushed to one side of the pot, or removed temporarily if there’s too much grease, add the finely diced yellow onion to the pot. Reduce the heat slightly to medium. Sauté the onion, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice the onions becoming fragrant and their edges might start to turn a light golden color. This gentle caramelization adds a subtle sweetness and depth to our soup.
Introduce the Garlic: Now it’s time for our wonderful minced garlic. Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic to the pot with the onions and sausage. Stir constantly for about 1 minute, until the garlic becomes incredibly fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can turn bitter and ruin the delicate balance of flavors. The aroma at this stage is absolutely intoxicating and signals that we’re on the right track!

Deglaze and Add Tomatoes: Pour in the 1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes and the 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes (undrained) into the pot. Use your wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits of sausage or vegetables that might be stuck to the bottom of the pot. This process, known as deglazing, incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors back into our soup base. It’s a simple step that adds a tremendous amount of richness. Stir everything together until well combined.

Simmering the Rich Broth:

This is where our soup truly comes alive, where all the individual components merge and meld into a harmonious, comforting symphony of flavors. The simmering process allows the herbs and spices to fully bloom and infuse the broth with their essence.

Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth. Now, let’s season our soup generously. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and the optional ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little warmth. If you find tomato-based sauces can sometimes be a bit acidic, consider adding the optional 1 tablespoon of sugar at this point; it helps to balance the flavors beautifully without making the soup sweet.

Bring to a Simmer: Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for at least 20-30 minutes. This simmering time is crucial. It allows the flavors to deepen and meld together, creating a rich and robust broth that is truly the heart of our Lasagna Soup. Feel free to stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom. The longer it simmers (within reason, of course), the more developed and delicious the flavors will become.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: After the simmering period, remove the lid and give the soup a taste. This is your chance to really make it shine! Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You might find it needs a little more of the dried herbs, or perhaps another pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Remember, tasting as you go is key to creating a perfectly seasoned dish. Don’t be shy – adjust until you’re completely happy with the flavor profile.

Crafting the Creamy Ricotta Topping:

No lasagna, even in soup form, is complete without that iconic creamy, cheesy layer. This ricotta topping isn’t just a garnish; it’s an integral part of the lasagna experience, adding a cool, rich counterpoint to the robust, savory soup. It’s incredibly simple to prepare but makes a world of difference.

Combine Ricotta Ingredients: While your soup is simmering its way to perfection, let’s prepare our delightful ricotta topping. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, the ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, the ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley, and the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil. The fresh herbs are incredibly important here, as they provide a vibrant freshness that truly elevates the topping.
Season and Mix Well: Add the ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder to the ricotta mixture. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Using a fork or a small whisk, mix all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. You want to make sure there are no large lumps of ricotta. Give it a quick taste – it should be savory, herby, and utterly delicious. Set this aside until you’re ready to serve.

Cooking the Lasagna Noodles:

Here’s where our “Lasagna Soup” truly earns its name! The addition of the broken lasagna noodles directly into the soup pot is what transforms a simple Italian sausage and tomato soup into a hearty, comforting bowl of liquid lasagna. The key is to get them perfectly al dente, not mushy.

Break the Lasagna Noodles: Take your 8-10 lasagna noodles and gently break them into irregular 1 to 2-inch pieces. Don’t worry about perfection here; rustic pieces add to the charm of the soup. Breaking them by hand is part of the fun! These smaller pieces are much easier to manage in a soup and mimic the layers of a traditional lasagna.
Add Noodles to Soup: Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer, if it isn’t already. Carefully add the broken lasagna noodle pieces directly into the simmering soup. Give it a good stir to ensure the noodles are fully submerged and not sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
Cook Until Al Dente: Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 8-12 minutes, or until the lasagna noodles are tender but still have a slight bite (al dente). This is crucial for the texture of your soup. Do not overcook the noodles! Overcooked noodles will become mushy and absorb too much liquid, potentially turning your soup into a very thick stew.

Pro Tip for Consistency:

Lasagna noodles are quite absorbent. As they cook, they will soak up a good amount of the broth. If your soup starts to get too thick for your liking during or after cooking the noodles, simply stir in an additional ½ to 1 cup of chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency. This is especially important if you anticipate having leftovers, as the noodles will continue to absorb liquid as the soup cools.

Assembling and Serving Our Lasagna Soup:

The moment of truth! With the soup perfectly simmered and the noodles tender, it’s time to bring all the elements together for a truly satisfying meal. This final step is all about presentation and creating that authentic lasagna experience in a bowl.

Ladle into Bowls: Once the noodles are cooked to perfection, immediately remove the pot from the heat. Ladle generous portions of the hot, steaming Lasagna Soup into individual serving bowls. Make sure each bowl gets a good mix of the sausage, tomatoes, and those wonderful broken lasagna noodles.

Top with Creamy Ricotta: Now for the magic touch! Place a generous dollop of the prepared creamy ricotta mixture directly on top of each serving of hot soup. The heat from the soup will gently warm the ricotta, allowing its creaminess to slightly melt and swirl into the broth, creating an incredibly rich and decadent mouthfeel.
Garnish and Serve: Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves or a dusting of chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. For an extra touch of luxury, a small drizzle of good quality olive oil over the top before serving adds a lovely aroma and sheen. Serve immediately with some crusty bread for dipping, if desired.

Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup:

To truly master this Lasagna Soup and make it your own, here are a few extra tips and considerations. These small adjustments can elevate your cooking and ensure consistently fantastic results every time.

Ingredient Quality Matters: While this soup is forgiving, using high-quality ingredients will always yield a superior flavor. Opt for good quality canned tomatoes, a flavorful Italian sausage, and fresh Parmesan cheese for the best results. Fresh herbs for the ricotta topping are a non-negotiable for that bright, authentic taste.
Don’t Overcook the Noodles: We cannot stress this enough! The texture of the noodles is key to a great Lasagna Soup. They should be tender but still have a slight chew. If you plan on having a lot of leftovers, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to individual bowls just before serving. This prevents them from getting mushy and absorbing all the soup’s liquid over time. If you do cook them in the soup and have leftovers, you’ll likely need to add more broth when reheating.
Make It Ahead: The soup base (without the noodles) can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually deepen and improve! When ready to serve, simply reheat the base, bring to a simmer, and then add the broken noodles to cook until al dente before proceeding with the ricotta topping. This is a fantastic strategy for weeknight meals or entertaining.

Customizing Your Sausage: If you’re not a fan of pork Italian sausage, feel free to substitute with ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey. If using leaner meats, you might want to add a pinch more olive oil to ensure they brown nicely. You can also play with the spice level by choosing mild or hot Italian sausage, or by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
Vegetarian Adaptation: To make this soup vegetarian, simply omit the Italian sausage. Instead, you can sauté some finely diced mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers with the onion, or add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or lentils for extra protein and texture. Ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Storage and Reheating: Leftover Lasagna Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. As mentioned, the noodles will continue to absorb liquid, so you may need to add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir well until heated through.

Serving Suggestions: This hearty soup is a meal in itself! However, it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or a slice of warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley just before serving truly enhances the overall experience.
Freezing: The soup base (without the noodles or ricotta) freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stove, add more broth if needed, cook the noodles, and proceed with the ricotta topping. Freezing the soup with the noodles can lead to a softer, less desirable noodle texture upon reheating.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it, my friends! We’ve journeyed through the simple steps to create a truly unforgettable meal, and I honestly can’t wait for you to experience the magic of this dish for yourself. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl, a shortcut to comfort food heaven without any of the fuss. We’ve taken all the incredible, heartwarming flavors of a traditional lasagna – the rich tomato sauce, the savory meat (or plant-based alternative!), the creamy ricotta, and the melty mozzarella – and transformed them into an approachable, weeknight-friendly soup that tastes like you’ve been simmering it all day. The genius of this recipe lies in its ability to deliver profound flavor with remarkable ease, making it an absolute game-changer for busy evenings or when you’re simply craving something deeply satisfying without the extensive prep and layering. It’s the perfect solution when you want that classic Italian-American comfort but are short on time, offering a vibrant, robust flavor profile that will absolutely tantalize your taste buds.

I genuinely believe this is a must-try for everyone, from seasoned home cooks to those just starting their culinary adventure. It’s incredibly forgiving, adaptable, and consistently delicious. Imagine coming home after a long day and having this simmering gently on the stove, filling your kitchen with an aroma that promises warmth and contentment. The unique texture, with those tender lasagna noodles swirling in a rich, savory broth, topped with dollops of creamy, herbed ricotta and a generous sprinkle of parmesan, is an experience in itself. It really brings all the elements we adore about traditional lasagna into a new, exciting format. This dish truly stands out because it captures the essence of a beloved classic while simplifying the process, making it accessible and enjoyable for any occasion. It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, yet light enough not to leave you feeling overly heavy.

Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations to Elevate Your Lasagna Soup Experience

Now, let’s talk about how to make your Lasagna Soup even more spectacular, or how to tweak it to perfectly fit your mood or pantry. While it’s absolutely fantastic on its own, there are so many ways to customize and enhance it.

The Essential Garnish: Always, and I mean always, finish with a generous dollop of that creamy ricotta mixture – trust me, it’s non-negotiable! – a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, and a flourish of fresh basil or parsley. A drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil before serving also adds a lovely richness.
Bread is Your Best Friend: This soup practically begs for a companion! A crusty slice of garlic bread, a warm, soft focaccia, or even just some rustic Italian bread for dipping into that amazing broth would be absolutely divine. It’s perfect for soaking up every last bit of that flavorful goodness.
Add Some Greens: Want to sneak in some extra vegetables? Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last few minutes of cooking until just wilted. It adds a lovely pop of color and an extra boost of nutrients without altering the core flavor profile too much.

Spice It Up: If you love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the aromatics or sprinkled over your bowl will give it a wonderful kick.
Protein Power-Up: While the recipe includes ground meat, you could easily swap it for Italian sausage (mild or hot!), ground turkey, or even cooked shredded chicken for a different twist. For a vegetarian option, hearty lentils or crumbled plant-based ground “meat” work beautifully.
Cheese, Please!: Experiment with different cheeses! A blend of mozzarella and provolone could be delightful, or even a smoked mozzarella for a unique flavor. A dollop of creamy mascarpone stirred in at the end could add an extra layer of richness too.

Veggie Boost: Feel free to add diced zucchini, bell peppers, or even mushrooms when you sauté your aromatics for more texture and nutrients. Just remember to cook them down until tender.
Make it Gluten-Free: Simply use your favorite gluten-free lasagna noodles (broken into pieces) or a different gluten-free pasta shape.

So, what are you waiting for? I’m truly excited for you to give this amazing Lasagna Soup a try. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience that delivers comfort, flavor, and a sense of accomplishment without demanding hours in the kitchen. I promise it will become a cherished staple in your recipe rotation, a go-to dish that consistently satisfies and brings joy.

Once you’ve whipped up your own batch, I would absolutely love to hear all about it! Did you make any fun variations? What was your favorite part? Did it become an instant family favorite? Please, don’t keep your culinary triumphs to yourself! Come back and share your thoughts, your photos, and any brilliant tweaks you discovered in the comments section below. Your insights not only make my day but also inspire other home cooks to try new things and make the recipe their own. Happy cooking, and get ready to fall head over heels for this incredible dish!