Lasagna soup is a delicious alternative to conventional lasagna; it combines all the flavors of the way we like our Italian comfort food, minus the heavy lifting, in a warm, cozy bowl.
This stick-to-your-ribs take brings all the classic flavors of lasagna — unctuous tomatoes, aromatic Italian herbs, molten cheese and pasta — into a soul-soothing soup that’s made for the cold-weather days ahead, or really whenever Italian comfort is required.
It’s simple to prepare, bursting with flavor, and deeply satisfying. And unlike lasagna, it’s less assembly-intensive, can be prepared all in one pot. So what makes lasagna soup so craveable and how can you customize this to make it your own?
Why you will love Lasagna Soup?
With its delicious combination of traditional Italian lasagna flavors and the soothing warmth of soup, this recipe offers a unique culinary experience.
- Rich Tomato Base – The tomato sauce broth is flavored with garlic, onions, and Italian spices to create a hearty and well-seasoned base much like the rich sauce of traditional lasagna. Fresh or canned tomatoes add sweetness, acidity and depth to the soup, making every spoonful memorable.
- Cheesy Goodness – Lasagna soup contains a blend of cheeses — typically mozzarella and ricotta — that melts into the broth, resulting in a creamy, cheesy consistency, unlike regular soup. This creates a luxe layer in the soup that replicates the gooey, cheesy strata of a lasagna, offering a familiar experience that feels new.
- Hearty Chew – The al dente lasagna noodles offer toothsome chewiness that counterpoints the rich, cheesy broth for a balanced dish. And by breaking the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces, you have manageable bites that still bring home the comfort of classic lasagna while being spoonable.
The result is a cozy, spoonable soup that preserves all the deliciousness of a lasagna-esque dish while being a little simpler to prepare and eat for dinner in a weeknight pinch.
Serving suggestions for Lasagna Soup
With Crusty Garlic Bread – Pairing lasagna soup with crusty garlic bread complements its flavors and adds extra texture to the meal. Garlic bread’s crispy outside and soft inside soak up the soup’s flavors perfectly. Plus, the garlic adds an additional layer of Italian flavor, making it an ideal companion.
Over Mashed Potatoes – For a unique twist, serve lasagna soup over a scoop of mashed potatoes. The creamy potatoes mix wonderfully with the cheesy, tomato-based broth, adding extra richness and making each bite even more satisfying. This is particularly great for those who love ultra-comforting, hearty dishes.
With a Green Side Salad – A fresh green salad with arugula, spinach, and crisp vegetables balances out the richness of the soup. A light balsamic vinaigrette or Italian dressing complements the tomato and cheese flavors without overpowering them. It’s a great way to add a refreshing, crunchy element to the meal.
Variants of Lasagna Soup
Vegetarian Lasagna Soup
This version skips the meat and adds a variety of veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers, enhancing the soup’s nutritional value while keeping it hearty and satisfying. You can even add some veggie crumbles for a meaty texture, making it just as filling as the original.
Vegan Lasagna Soup
To make a vegan version, replace the cheese with vegan alternatives like cashew-based ricotta or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Substitute the meat with plant-based sausage or additional vegetables, like eggplant and spinach. Using vegetable broth completes the dish for a completely vegan-friendly lasagna soup.
Low-Carb Lasagna Soup
For a lighter option, skip the pasta and use zucchini ribbons or spaghetti squash instead. These alternatives capture the noodle feel without the carbs, while still being able to hold the flavors of the rich broth and cheese. It’s an excellent way to enjoy the dish if you’re cutting down on carbs.
What do you need to make Lasagna Soup?
Tomatoes
A blend of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes creates a rich, layered flavor profile. The acidity and sweetness balance the broth and bring out the soup’s overall flavor.
Italian Sausage
Italian sausage adds savory, spicy notes to the soup, giving it depth and a meaty richness that pairs well with the tomato and cheese. Using ground beef or turkey as a substitute also works well.
Pasta
Broken lasagna noodles make the soup hearty and add texture. Their broad shape holds the soup’s flavors, while their chewiness contrasts the creamy broth beautifully.
Ricotta and Mozzarella Cheese
These cheeses melt into the soup, creating a creamy texture. Ricotta offers a smooth consistency, while mozzarella adds that gooey, melty characteristic we associate with lasagna.
Lasagna Soup step by step
1. Sauté the Sausage and Aromatics: Heat a large pot over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onions and cook until they become translucent. Stir in the garlic, and cook for another minute until fragrant. Browning the sausage first brings out a rich, meaty flavor in the broth.
2. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Cook the Pasta in the Broth: Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the pot. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as the pasta will continue to soften in the hot soup.
4. Add Cheeses for Creaminess: Lower the heat and stir in the ricotta and mozzarella until melted and well incorporated. This creates a creamy, cheesy consistency that mimics traditional lasagna. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add more cheese or simmer the soup a little longer.
5. Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot with crusty garlic bread or focaccia on the side for the perfect Italian-inspired meal.
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Lasagna Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage mild or hot
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 8 oz lasagna noodles broken into pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté the Sausage and Aromatics: Heat a large pot over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onions and cook until they become translucent. Stir in the garlic, and cook for another minute until fragrant. Browning the sausage first brings out a rich, meaty flavor in the broth.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta in the Broth: Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the pot. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as the pasta will continue to soften in the hot soup.
- Add Cheeses for Creaminess: Lower the heat and stir in the ricotta and mozzarella until melted and well incorporated. This creates a creamy, cheesy consistency that mimics traditional lasagna. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add more cheese or simmer the soup a little longer.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot with crusty garlic bread or focaccia on the side for the perfect Italian-inspired meal.
