Hearty Lasagna Soup

While many associate soup with colder months, here at The Beach House Kitchen, we embrace soup season year-round! There’s something inherently comforting and versatile about a warm bowl of goodness, no matter the climate. However, as soon as the temperatures begin to dip, our inbox is flooded with requests for cozy, heartwarming soup recipes. And today, we’re thrilled to answer that call with a dish that combines a universal favorite with ultimate convenience: our simple, yet incredibly flavorful, Homemade Lasagna Soup.

This recipe is designed to deliver all the rich, savory, and undeniably comforting sensations of a traditional lasagna, but in a streamlined, soup-style format. Imagine tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory Italian sausage, and creamy ricotta all mingling harmoniously in one pot. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave that deep, slow-cooked Italian flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this irresistible twist on a classic!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Lasagna Soup Recipe

Traditional lasagna is a labor of love, celebrated for its intricate layers and deep flavors. However, sometimes time and energy are in short supply. That’s precisely where our Lasagna Soup shines! This recipe is a game-changer for anyone who adores the taste of lasagna but wants to bypass the extensive prep work and baking time. Here’s why this soup will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection:

• Effortless Preparation: Forget boiling individual lasagna noodles, painstakingly layering cheese mixtures, and enduring long bake times. This soup simplifies the entire process, allowing you to achieve complex flavors with minimal effort.
• One-Pot Wonder: Most of the magic happens in a single pot! This means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious meal. The noodles cook directly in the savory broth, absorbing all the wonderful flavors as they soften.
• Classic Flavors, Modern Twist: You get all the authentic flavors you’d expect from a traditional lasagna – the hearty Italian sausage, rich tomato base, aromatic herbs, and creamy cheese – all perfectly blended into a comforting soup.
• Quick & Convenient: From start to finish, this soup comes together in a fraction of the time it takes to make traditional lasagna. It’s an ideal solution for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying and wholesome meal on the table fast.
• Versatile & Adaptable: Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or planning for meal prep, this soup fits the bill. It’s hearty enough to be a standalone meal and can easily be scaled up or down.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to soothe the soul. This lasagna soup delivers warmth, richness, and familiar flavors that make it the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you need a culinary hug.

This recipe proves that you don’t need to sacrifice flavor for convenience. Dive into a bowl of this incredible Lasagna Soup and experience the best of both worlds!

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need for Lasagna Soup

Crafting this remarkable Lasagna Soup relies on a selection of fresh and pantry-staple ingredients that come together to create a symphony of Italian flavors. Each component plays a vital role in building the robust base, savory richness, and creamy finish that makes this soup so irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing, adding a touch of Mediterranean richness.
• Sweet Italian Sausage: The star protein, providing savory depth and a hint of spice. You can also opt for mild or hot Italian sausage, or even a combination, to suit your preference.
• Yellow Onion: Aromatic base, adding sweetness and essential savory notes when softened.
• Garlic: Indispensable for Italian cooking, offering pungent aroma and flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds a deep, umami richness to the broth.
• Kosher Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that instantly brings classic Italian taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: A touch of heat to balance the richness and add a subtle kick. Adjust to your desired spice level.
• Red Cooking Wine: Deglazes the pot and adds a layer of complex, acidic flavor that deepens the sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes (undrained): Provides a chunky texture and bright tomato flavor.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the smooth, rich tomato base of the soup.
• Granulated Sugar: A pinch helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The liquid base for the soup. Low-sodium allows you to control the overall saltiness.
• Lasagna Noodles: The namesake ingredient! Broken into pieces, they cook directly in the soup, absorbing the flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Added at the end for a luxurious, silky texture and a touch of richness.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: A fragrant, herbaceous garnish that brightens the entire dish with its sweet, peppery notes.
• Whole Milk Ricotta: The key to the creamy, dolloped topping, offering a mild, slightly sweet, and tangy contrast.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami depth to the ricotta topping and can be used for extra garnish.

With these ingredients at hand, you’re well on your way to creating a hearty and unforgettable Lasagna Soup that tastes like it took hours, but comes together in under an hour!

Expert Tips & Delicious Variations for Your Lasagna Soup

This Lasagna Soup recipe is wonderfully versatile and forgiving, allowing for adjustments to suit your taste and dietary needs. Here are some expert tips and delicious variations to elevate your soup experience:

Enhancing the Flavor and Texture:

• The Ricotta Topping is a Must: While listed as optional, we wholeheartedly recommend the creamy ricotta and Parmesan topping. It truly mimics the cheesy layers of traditional lasagna, adding a cool, tangy contrast and a luxurious texture that completes the dish. Don’t skip it for the full experience!
• Spice it Up (or Down): The red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth. If you love a bolder kick, feel free to increase the amount. For a milder soup, you can omit them entirely.
• Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: While dried Italian seasoning provides the base, finishing with fresh basil is key. Its vibrant, aromatic qualities are truly unmatched and brighten the entire soup. Don’t be shy with it!
• Cheese, Please!: Beyond the Parmesan in the ricotta topping, a sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese over each bowl just before serving is always a good idea. For even more creaminess and a cheesy pull, consider stirring in a handful of shredded mozzarella or provolone along with the heavy cream at the very end.

Protein & Dietary Adaptations:

• Meat Variations: The recipe calls for sweet Italian sausage, which provides fantastic flavor. However, you can easily customize the protein:
  • Ground Beef: Use 1 pound of lean ground beef for a classic ragu flavor.
  • Mild or Hot Italian Sausage: Adjust the spice level by choosing mild or hot sausage, or even a combination of both for a nuanced flavor profile.
  • Ground Turkey or Chicken: For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken. You might want to add a bit more Italian seasoning or a dash of fennel seeds to replicate the classic Italian sausage flavor.
• Vegetarian Option: To make this soup vegetarian, simply omit the meat and replace it with hearty vegetables or plant-based protein. Sauté mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, or a can of drained and rinsed lentils with the onion and garlic. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Noodle & Consistency Notes:

• Noodle Choice: Breaking dried lasagna noodles into pieces is convenient, but you can also use other short pasta shapes like ditalini, rotini, or even broken spaghetti. Just ensure they are cooked until al dente in the soup.
• Adjusting Consistency: If your soup becomes too thick as it simmers or after sitting, simply thin it out with a splash more chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Make Ahead: The base of this soup (without the noodles and cream) can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the base, add fresh broth if needed, then cook the noodles and stir in the cream and basil. This prevents the noodles from getting too mushy.
• Storage: Leftover Lasagna Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid and may become softer.
• Freezing: For best results when freezing, freeze the soup *without* the noodles and heavy cream. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat, add fresh chicken broth as needed, cook the noodles, and stir in the cream and basil just before serving.

These tips and variations ensure that your Lasagna Soup experience is always customized to perfection, whether you’re sticking to the original recipe or putting your own creative spin on it.

More Delicious Soup Recipes to Enjoy

If you’re a fan of comforting bowls of soup, you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes from our kitchen. Each offers a unique flavor profile perfect for any time of year.

• Classic Cream of Mushroom Soup: A rich and velvety soup, perfect for a cozy evening.
• Black Bean Soup: A hearty and flavorful soup, often topped with fresh pico de gallo for a zesty kick.
• Beef Barley Soup: A wholesome and filling soup, packed with tender beef and nutritious barley.

Lasagna Soup

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

This Lasagna Soup is everything you love about the classic Italian dish yet soup-style! So much easier and just as delicious. It’s a meal in a bowl. Perfect for lunch, dinner or game day!

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage
• 1 cup yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 1 Tablespoon garlic, finely minced
• 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup red cooking wine
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 3/4 cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 8 dried lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook your Italian sausage until no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, stirring often. Add garlic and continue to cook for one minute until fragrant.
2. Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, kosher salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, to bloom the flavors. Add red wine and cook for about 3-4 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Then, add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, granulated sugar, and chicken broth. Raise the heat to medium-high. Once the soup comes to a boil, add your broken lasagna noodles. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook until the noodles are tender and the liquid is slightly reduced. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh basil until well combined, then turn the heat to off.
3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta and Parmesan with a pinch of salt and pepper and mix until well combined.
4. Pour your hot soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of the ricotta mixture. Serve immediately.

Notes

The ricotta mixture as a topping is optional, but highly suggested for an authentic lasagna experience. We absolutely love it.

I’ve made this soup successfully with ground beef, mild Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or a combination of different meats.

I also enjoy serving mine with additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1348mg | Potassium: 759mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 656IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 3mg

Keyword: Comfort Food, Italian sausage, Pasta, Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Course: Soup