Love lasagna but don’t have the time (or patience) to layer noodles, simmer sauce, and bake for an hour? This Lasagna Soup gives you all the cozy, cheesy, tomato-rich comfort of traditional lasagna—without the hassle.
Made in one pot with ground beef, hearty broth, pasta, Italian herbs, and melty cheese, this soup is ready in just 40 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and homemade.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup
✅ One-Pot Wonder – No need for multiple pans or a baking dish.
✅ Classic Lasagna Flavor – With garlic, tomato, beef, and Italian seasoning.
✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in under an hour with simple ingredients.
✅ Customizable – Swap in sausage or turkey, use your favorite pasta, or add extra greens.
✅ Freezer-Friendly – Make a big batch and enjoy it later!
What Is Lasagna Soup?
Lasagna Soup takes all the traditional lasagna ingredients—ground meat, tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese—and turns them into a warm, hearty soup. No layering, no baking—just rich flavors simmered in one pot.
This version includes ground beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, broth, and short pasta, finished with spinach and melty cheese. It’s everything you love about lasagna, served in a bowl!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple pantry staples come together for a flavorful and satisfying meal:
For the Soup:
– Olive oil – For sautéing the veggies and meat.
– Lean ground beef – You can also use Italian sausage or ground turkey.
– Onion & red bell pepper – Diced for flavor and texture.
– Garlic – Adds classic Italian depth.
– Tomato paste – Concentrated flavor and richness.
– Dried oregano, basil, and Italian seasoning – Essential herbs.
– Salt & pepper – To enhance the flavors.
– Chicken broth – Use low-sodium for better control of seasoning.
– Crushed tomatoes – Adds body and acidity.
– Pasta – Short shapes or broken lasagna noodles.
– Fresh spinach – Stirred in at the end for color and nutrition.
For Serving (Optional):
– Shredded mozzarella
– Grated Parmesan
– A spoonful of ricotta cheese
How to Make Lasagna Soup
Follow these easy steps to make your own cozy bowl of lasagna goodness:
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and red bell pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until browned—about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasonings
Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
Step 3: Add Broth and Tomatoes
Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Increase the heat and bring everything to a boil.
Step 4: Add Pasta and Simmer
Stir in the pasta or broken lasagna noodles. Reduce to a medium boil and cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
Step 5: Finish with Spinach
Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped spinach until wilted.
Step 6: Serve and Top with Cheese
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, or a spoonful of ricotta for that true lasagna finish.
Ways to Serve Lasagna Soup
This soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but you can dress it up even more:
🍞 With crusty garlic bread – Perfect for dipping.
🥗 With a side salad – Lighten things up with a simple green salad.
🧀 With extra cheese – Because more cheese is always a good idea.
🌶️ With red pepper flakes – For a spicy kick.
🍷 With red wine – Try a bold Chianti or Sangiovese.
Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
🔥 Brown the meat well – It adds deep flavor to the soup base.
🧄 Use fresh garlic – Makes all the difference in taste.
🍝 Stir pasta regularly – Prevents sticking as it simmers.
🧀 Add cheese just before serving – Keeps it melty, not stringy.
🧊 Want to freeze it? – Consider cooking the noodles separately to avoid mushy texture later.
Storage & Freezing Tips
🥡 Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
❄️ Freeze: Let the soup cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. You can freeze it with or without the pasta.
🔥 Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop, adding broth or water as needed if it thickens.
💡 Pro Tip: If freezing with noodles, slightly undercook them to prevent mushiness when reheating.
FAQs About Lasagna Soup
Q: Can I use different ground meat?
A: Yes! Italian sausage, ground turkey, or a mix all work well.
Q: What kind of pasta is best?
A: Short shapes like fusilli, rotini, or mafalda work great. Broken lasagna noodles are traditional but can be harder to eat.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Skip the meat and add more veggies or plant-based crumbles. Use veggie broth instead of chicken broth.
Q: Can I cook it in advance?
A: Absolutely. Just undercook the pasta slightly if making ahead, so it doesn’t get too soft when reheated.
Final Thoughts
This Lasagna Soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly nights or anytime you want a taste of Italian warmth without the work. It’s hearty, cheesy, and deeply flavorful—all in one cozy bowl.
Whether you serve it to your family, meal prep it for the week, or freeze it for a rainy day, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a hit!
Short Version
Lasagna Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef Italian sausage, or ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces short pasta shapes or lasagna noodles* about 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces, see note
- 2 cups packed fresh spinach chopped (about 2 ounces)
- Optional for serving: shredded mozzarella, ricotta, and/or grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat and stirring often, until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Pour in the broth and crushed tomatoes. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the pasta or broken lasagna noodles, then reduce to a medium boil. Cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Taste a noodle to check for doneness.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped spinach.
- Serve with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, or a spoonful of ricotta cheese, as desired.
Notes
