Hearty One-Pot Lasagna Soup: An Effortless Family Favorite Recipe

Imagine all the beloved flavors of a classic lasagna dinner transformed into a comforting, easy-to-make soup. This hearty one-pot lasagna soup delivers on that promise, offering a rich tomato broth, savory ground beef, and tender lasagna noodles, all without the fuss of layering. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights and an instant family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe

If the idea of lasagna in a bowl intrigues you, prepare to be amazed. This recipe takes everything wonderful about traditional lasagna – the deep, rich meat sauce, the perfectly cooked pasta, and the creamy, cheesy topping – and simplifies it into a single, convenient pot. Forget the tedious layering, the multiple dishes, and the long baking times. Our one-pot lasagna soup is designed for modern life, making it an ideal choice for a delicious, satisfying meal any day of the week, even when time is short.

Beyond its incredible ease, this lasagna soup truly shines with its flavor profile. Each spoonful is a delightful medley of slow-simmered ground beef (or your preferred protein) bathed in a robust tomato broth, complemented by perfectly al dente noodles. But what truly elevates this dish is the dreamy, cheesy topping: a luxurious blend of creamy ricotta, savory Parmesan, fresh basil, and gooey mozzarella. It melts beautifully into the hot soup, adding a layer of indulgence that transforms every bite into a culinary experience. Plus, it uses many pantry staples, so you likely have most ingredients on hand already!

We believe once you try this simplified, yet incredibly flavorful, lasagna soup, you might just wonder why you ever bothered with the traditional version!

Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Lasagna Soup

Crafting this flavorful lasagna soup requires a few simple yet essential ingredients. Most are likely already in your pantry or refrigerator, making this a convenient meal to prepare without a special trip to the store. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital to the dish’s success:

• Ground Beef: We recommend using lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) to minimize excess grease. However, this recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to substitute with Italian sausage (mild or spicy), ground turkey, or even ground chicken for a lighter option. If you opt for a higher-fat ground meat, be sure to drain any rendered fat thoroughly after browning to prevent the soup from becoming oily.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil is perfect for sautéing your aromatics. It helps tenderize the onions and garlic, laying a crucial foundation for the soup’s rich flavor base.
• Onions: Chopped yellow onion is a must. As it caramelizes slightly during sautéing, it adds a subtle sweetness and depth, contributing significantly to the overall savory profile of the soup. Don’t underestimate the flavor impact of properly cooked onions!
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic cloves are non-negotiable for this recipe. They infuse the ground beef and broth with an irresistible aroma and pungent flavor that is characteristic of Italian-inspired dishes. Avoid garlic powder here if possible; fresh truly makes a difference.
• Seasonings: This blend is where the “lasagna” magic truly comes alive. You’ll need kosher salt, dried oregano (or a good quality Italian seasoning blend), a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle warmth (optional, adjust to your preference), and a bay leaf for a classic, slow-cooked depth. Crushed fennel seeds are a secret weapon here; they impart that distinctive, slow-simmered Italian flavor that often comes from Italian sausage. If you’re already using Italian sausage, you might want to reduce or omit the fennel to avoid overpowering the dish. A touch of sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Tomato Products: The robust tomato base is key. While the original recipe sometimes used a combination of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, we’ve found that a high-quality jarred marinara sauce (or homemade marinara) significantly elevates the flavor. It brings a complexity and richness that simple canned tomatoes sometimes lack. Complement this with a can of crushed tomatoes for texture and body, and a bit of tomato paste, which, when cooked down, deepens the umami notes. This combination truly makes the soup taste better than many traditional lasagnas!
• Broth: Chicken broth is our preferred choice for its balanced flavor, but beef broth can also be used if you desire a richer, beefier undertone. Opt for low-sodium broth to better control the seasoning of your soup.
• Lasagna Pasta: This is where the “lasagna” element officially enters the soup! Rather than whole sheets, we break down standard lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces (about 6-7 pieces per sheet). This makes them easy to eat in a spoon and ensures they cook evenly within the soup. If you don’t have lasagna sheets, bow-tie pasta, rotini, or even penne can be delightful alternatives.
• Cheese: The signature cheesy “yum” topping is essential! You’ll need creamy ricotta cheese for its characteristic texture and mild flavor, grated Parmesan cheese for a sharp, salty kick, and shredded mozzarella cheese for that delightful melty stretch. This trio creates a harmonious topping that beautifully contrasts with the warm, savory soup below.
• Fresh Herbs: A generous addition of finely minced fresh parsley and basil to the ricotta mixture brightens the entire dish. These vibrant herbs add a burst of freshness and aromatic complexity that truly completes the lasagna soup experience.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Homemade Lasagna Soup

Creating this delicious lasagna soup is surprisingly straightforward, and with a single pot, clean-up is a breeze. Follow these steps for a rich, flavorful, and comforting meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare:

1. Brown the Meat & Build the Flavor Base: Begin by heating a large Dutch oven or a sturdy soup pot over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it’s thoroughly browned and no pink remains. If using higher-fat beef, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot to ensure your soup isn’t overly oily. Next, drizzle in the olive oil, then add the chopped yellow onions. Sauté them, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes, until they become tender and translucent. This step is crucial for developing a sweet, aromatic foundation. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), dried oregano, crushed fennel seeds, tomato paste, and a pinch of sugar. Cook this mixture for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. You’ll notice the tomato paste deepens in color, indicating that its flavor is intensifying – don’t rush this part!
2. Simmer for Depth of Flavor: Pour in the chicken or beef broth, followed by the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, and finally, drop in the bay leaf. Stir everything together well. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes. This simmering period is essential; it allows all the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a rich, complex flavor profile that truly sets this lasagna soup apart. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavor will be.
3. Cook the Noodles: You have a couple of options for cooking the lasagna noodles. For convenience, you can cook them directly in the soup: increase the heat back to medium-high and add about ½ cup of water to the pot to ensure enough liquid for the pasta to absorb. Once boiling, stir in your broken lasagna noodles and cook, uncovered, for 8-9 minutes, or until they are al dente and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

   *Pro Tip for Leftovers:* If you anticipate having leftovers, we highly recommend cooking the noodles separately. This prevents them from soaking up too much broth and becoming mushy as the soup sits. Simply boil them according to package directions in a separate pot, then add them to individual bowls of soup just before serving.

4. Prepare the Cheesy Topping: While the soup simmers and noodles cook, prepare the irresistible ricotta topping. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, finely chopped fresh parsley, finely chopped fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using a silicone spatula or spoon, stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined and evenly distributed. This creates a creamy, herbaceous, and cheesy mixture that will melt into glorious perfection atop your hot soup.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the soup and noodles are ready, ladle generous portions of the hot lasagna soup into individual serving bowls. If you cooked the noodles separately, add a portion of the cooked noodles to each bowl now. Finish each bowl with a generous dollop of the cheesy ricotta topping. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, sprinkle with additional fresh parsley or basil. This lasagna soup pairs wonderfully with a crisp Caesar salad and warm, crusty garlic bread. Prepare for a truly comforting and satisfying meal!

If You Love This Lasagna Soup, Explore These Other Comforting Recipes:

Craving more comforting, Italian-inspired meals or unique twists on classic dishes? Here are some other delicious recipes you might enjoy:

• Roasted Garlic White Chicken Lasagna Soup with Mushrooms
• Lazy Skillet Lasagna
• Skinny Mushroom Spinach Lasagna
• Low Carb Eggplant Lasagna Roll-Ups
• Super Easy Weeknight Ravioli Piccata

Original Recipe shared Dec 2015, updated with new post, images, and minor recipe edits Jan 2023.

Recipe inspired by a Farmgirl’s Dabbles.