Name: Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 yellow onion, diced; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 14 oz can crushed tomatoes; 32 oz chicken broth; 1 cup water; 2 tsp tomato paste; 6 oz lasagna noodles, broken; 1 cup frozen chopped spinach

Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup is not just a dish; it’s a revelation for anyone who adores the rich, comforting flavors of classic lasagna but dreads the lengthy preparation and subsequent pile of dishes. Imagine savoring every layer of that beloved Italian classic – the robust tomato and meat sauce, the creamy ricotta, the melted mozzarella, and tender pasta – all expertly blended into a warm, inviting bowl. This ingenious soup takes the essence of traditional lasagna, a dish with centuries of Italian culinary heritage, and brilliantly transforms it into an incredibly convenient, weeknight-friendly meal. It truly offers the ultimate comfort food experience without the fuss.

I understand the appeal of a hearty meal that comes together with minimal effort, and this recipe delivers precisely that. People fall in love with this dish for its incredible depth of flavor, its wonderfully varied textures – from the hearty sauce to the gooey cheese and perfectly cooked pasta pieces – and, perhaps most importantly, its undeniable convenience. The ‘one pot’ aspect means fewer dishes, less active cooking time, and more moments to simply enjoy the incredible aroma filling your kitchen. Prepare to make this Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup a staple in your home; it’s a culinary shortcut to happiness.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 ½ pounds ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your preference) or lean ground beef for a milder flavor profile
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
6 cups chicken or beef broth (low sodium preferred, so we can control the seasoning)

2 cups water
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your heat preference, or omit for a milder soup)
1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

9-10 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces
4-5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional, but a lovely addition for some greens!)
For serving:
- 1 ½ cups fresh ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Prepping Our Foundations: Sautéing Meat and Aromatics

First things first, let’s get our trusty large pot or Dutch oven onto the stove over medium-high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your ground Italian sausage (or ground beef if you’re going that route). I love the robust flavor the Italian sausage brings to this soup, it truly makes it sing! Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook it until it’s beautifully browned all over, about 6-8 minutes. It’s important to get a good sear here, as this develops a fantastic depth of flavor.
Once your meat is perfectly browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps to drain off any excess fat, keeping our soup from being too greasy. Leave about 1-2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pot – that’s where all the delicious flavor is waiting for our vegetables! If there’s significantly more fat, go ahead and carefully spoon out the excess.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped yellow onion to the pot. Sauté the onion for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has softened and turned translucent. You’ll want to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot as the onion cooks; this is called “fond,” and it’s pure gold for building flavor!
Now, let’s bring in the fragrant garlic. Add the minced garlic to the pot with the softened onions. Cook for just about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it’s incredibly aromatic. Be careful not to let it burn, as burnt garlic can taste bitter and would be a shame after all our careful work.
Next up, the tomato paste. Stir the entire can into the onion and garlic mixture. Cook it for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. This step is crucial because cooking tomato paste helps to deepen its flavor and reduces its raw acidity, making it sweeter and more concentrated. You’ll notice it darken slightly in color and take on a rich aroma. Trust me, this little extra step makes a big difference in the final taste of our Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup!

Building the Flavorful Broth: Simmering Our Soup Base

It’s time to create the luscious liquid base for our soup! Pour in the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and the 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes (don’t drain them, we want all those juices!). Stir everything together well, making sure to scrape any remaining bits off the bottom of the pot.
Next, add the 6 cups of chicken or beef broth and the 2 cups of water. I always recommend using low-sodium broth so we have complete control over the seasoning; it allows us to adjust the salt levels precisely to our liking.
Now for the herbs and spices that give this soup its classic lasagna flavor. Stir in the 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. If you love a bit of heat, you can certainly add a little more red pepper flakes! For those who prefer a milder soup, feel free to reduce or omit them entirely.

Season the mixture with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Give it a good stir.
Bring the soup mixture to a strong simmer over medium-high heat. Once it’s actively simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it gently simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. This allows all those wonderful flavors to meld and deepen, creating a truly rich and harmonious broth. This simmering time is essential for developing the complex flavors of our Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup. You could even let it go for 30 minutes if you have the time!

The Noodle Transformation: Cooking Lasagna Right in the Pot

After your soup has had a chance to simmer and develop its incredible flavor, return the browned ground Italian sausage (or beef) back into the pot. Stir it in thoroughly, ensuring the meat is fully incorporated into the broth.

Now for the “lasagna” part! Carefully add the broken lasagna noodles directly into the simmering soup. You’ll want to break them into pieces that are easy to manage with a spoon, usually about 1-2 inches long. This is why it’s a “one-pot” wonder – no need to boil noodles separately!
Increase the heat to medium and bring the soup back to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a steady simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the lasagna noodles are al dente. It’s very important to stir often, especially during the first few minutes, to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot or to each other. Nobody wants a clump of noodles at the bottom of their delicious soup! The noodles will absorb some of the liquid, and the soup will thicken slightly, which is exactly what we want.
Once the noodles are tender but still have a slight bite, stir in the fresh spinach, if you’re using it. The residual heat of the soup will be more than enough to wilt the spinach in just 1-2 minutes. You’ll see it beautifully shrink down and become part of the soup.

Now is the moment to taste the soup and adjust the seasonings. This is perhaps one of the most critical steps in any recipe! Add more salt, pepper, or even a pinch more red pepper flakes if you think it needs it. Remember, different broths and brands of crushed tomatoes can vary in their sodium content, so trust your palate here. Don’t be shy about tasting and tweaking until it’s absolutely perfect for you.

The Grand Finale: Serving and Enjoying Our Masterpiece

While the soup is simmering and the noodles are cooking, let’s prepare our creamy cheese topping. In a small bowl, combine the 1 ½ cups of fresh ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a gentle mix just to combine them. This is going to be the crowning glory of our Lasagna Soup, providing that signature creamy, cheesy lasagna experience in every spoonful.
Ladle generous portions of the hot, Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup into individual serving bowls. Make sure each bowl gets a good mix of broth, meat, and those perfectly cooked lasagna noodle pieces.

For the ultimate lasagna soup experience, dollop a spoonful or two of the creamy ricotta-mozzarella-Parmesan mixture right on top of each bowl of hot soup. The heat from the soup will gently warm the cheese mixture, making it even more luscious and inviting.
Finally, sprinkle with a little extra grated Parmesan cheese and a generous pinch of fresh chopped basil or parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and a beautiful presentation. Serving it immediately with this fresh cheese topping is truly the best way to enjoy it!
Tips for Enjoyment and Variations:
- Spice Level: If you love heat, consider adding a pinch more red pepper flakes to your individual bowl. Or, for an extra kick, a dash of hot sauce right before serving.
- Vegetable Boost: Feel free to add other vegetables with the onions, such as finely diced carrots or bell peppers, for added nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid, so you might want to add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat individual portions on the stovetop or in the microwave. If reheating a large batch, do so slowly on the stovetop, stirring often, and add a bit more broth if it’s become too thick.
- No Ricotta? No Problem!: While the ricotta mixture adds that classic lasagna creaminess, if you don’t have it, a generous sprinkling of just mozzarella and Parmesan will still be absolutely delicious. You could also stir a little cream cheese into the soup itself for extra richness.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the soup base (steps 1-10) ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, bring it to a simmer, add the noodles and spinach, and cook as directed. This is perfect for busy weeknights!
This Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup is not just a meal; it’s a warm, comforting hug in a bowl, delivering all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna without all the fuss. Enjoy every single spoonful!

Conclusion:

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through the simple yet profoundly satisfying creation of what I truly believe is a culinary revelation. If there’s one recipe I could implore you to try, it would undoubtedly be this one. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a testament to how incredible flavor and comforting textures can emerge from the simplest of preparations. My goal with this recipe was always to deliver all the beloved, hearty goodness of traditional lasagna without any of the fuss, and I genuinely feel we’ve hit the mark spectacularly. Imagine those tender, wavy lasagna noodles, swimming in a rich, deeply savory tomato broth, generously studded with seasoned meat, and then, the pièce de résistance: creamy, melted cheese stretching with every spoonful. It’s a symphony of tastes and textures that truly delights the senses, making it a perfect antidote to a long day or a fantastic centerpiece for a cozy family dinner. The minimal cleanup is just the cherry on top, allowing you to spend less time scrubbing and more time savoring this incredible dish.

Unleash Your Creativity: Serving Suggestions and Variations

While this soup is absolutely perfect as is, part of the joy of cooking lies in making a dish truly your own. For serving, I highly recommend a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a vibrant garnish of fresh basil or parsley. A dollop of creamy ricotta cheese swirled in just before serving adds an extra layer of luxuriousness and mimics the cheesy layers of a baked lasagna beautifully. Don’t forget a side of crusty garlic bread or warm, fluffy rolls for dipping into that glorious broth; it’s practically a requirement! A simple, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette also provides a wonderful contrast to the richness of the soup.

But let’s talk variations, because this recipe is incredibly adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. If you’re looking to change up the protein, feel free to substitute the ground beef with savory Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your preference), lean ground turkey, or even ground chicken. Just ensure you brown your chosen meat thoroughly before proceeding with the recipe. For our vegetarian friends, this soup can be easily transformed! Omit the meat entirely and instead, sauté a generous amount of sliced mushrooms, finely diced zucchini, or even a can of rinsed and drained lentils along with the onions and garlic. You could also stir in some crumbled plant-based meat substitute for a similar hearty texture. For an extra boost of greens, fresh spinach or baby kale can be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing them to wilt gently into the hot soup. Cheese lovers, rejoice! While mozzarella and ricotta are classic, feel free to experiment with other meltable cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even a touch of smoked mozzarella for an added layer of flavor. A dash of red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce can introduce a delightful kick, elevating the warmth of the dish. The beauty of the Mouthwatering One Pot Lasagna Soup is its inherent flexibility, inviting you to experiment and tailor it to your heart’s desire.

Now, it’s your turn to experience the magic of this recipe! I truly hope you’ll give this a go in your own kitchen. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating a dish that looks as impressive as it tastes, all while keeping the effort to a minimum. Don’t be shy; embrace the simplicity and the delicious outcome. I am genuinely excited for you to try this recipe, and I’d absolutely love to hear about your cooking adventures. What variations did you try? Did you have a favorite serving suggestion? How did your family react? Please share your thoughts, tips, and even photos of your finished masterpiece in the comments below. Your experiences not only inspire me but also help other home cooks in our wonderful community. Happy cooking, and prepare to be utterly delighted by your creation!