If you're craving the comforting flavors of Italian lasagna but want something quicker and cozier, you've got to try this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe. It's like all your favorite lasagna ingredients poured into one soul-warming pot—perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you need that hearty hug in a bowl.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe countless times, and honestly, it never gets old. It captures that classic lasagna flavor without hours in the kitchen or heavy layers of pasta baking in the oven. Plus, it’s so forgiving and easy to tweak—ideal when you want something delicious but stress-free.
- All-In-One Comfort: This soup combines sausage, tomatoes, and cheesy goodness, giving you the essence of lasagna in every spoonful.
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have this on the table in under an hour, unlike traditional lasagna which can take much longer.
- Flexible Ingredients: It’s easy to swap out items based on what you have, making the recipe adaptable to your pantry and tastes.
- Family Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love the cheesy, flavorful broth with tender noodles—it’s one of those recipes that bring everyone together.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe plays a part in creating that rich, hearty flavor. The combination of Italian sausage, aromatic onions, garlic, and a mix of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes gives the soup depth and brightness. Plus, the trio of cheeses added at the end brings that classic creamy, savory finish that makes it truly lasagna-inspired.
- Ground Italian sausage: Provides bold, seasoned flavor and a juicy texture that’s the soup’s meaty backbone.
- White onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed; it softens and melds beautifully with the tomato base.
- Minced garlic: Boosts aroma and flavor—fresh garlic is always better than powdered here.
- Beef broth: Creates a rich, savory base for the soup; you can use low sodium to control saltiness.
- Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes: Provide the classic tomato essence with a nice balance of smoothness and texture.
- Italian seasoning: Blends herbs like oregano and basil, bringing authentic Italian flair.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and prevents the soup from tasting flat.
- Bay leaves: Infuse a subtle earthiness—remember to remove before serving!
- Lasagna pasta: Broken into bite-sized pieces, it mimics those iconic pasta layers in a delightful, spoonable form.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creamy texture and mild richness to the cheese topping.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that stretchy, gooey bite we all adore in lasagna.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Provides a salty, nutty punch that rounds out the cheese mix.
Make It Your Way
I love switching up this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe depending on what mood I’m in or what leftovers I have. It’s forgiving and welcoming to changes, so don’t hesitate to make it your own.
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is adding chopped spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes for some extra greens and nutrition—plus it adds a lovely pop of color.
- Spicy Kick: Sometimes I stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or swap mild sausage for spicy Italian sausage to turn up the heat.
- Meat Alternatives: If you prefer, ground turkey or even a plant-based sausage works well for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version.
- Pasta Swap: No lasagna noodles? No problem! Bow tie pasta or penne work beautifully too and are often easier to break into bite-sized pieces.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Browning the Sausage and Building Flavor
Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat and adding the ground Italian sausage. I like to break it up into small pieces right away so it cooks evenly and gets that nice brown crust. This usually takes about 8–10 minutes. Don’t rush this step; the browned sausage is where a lot of the flavor comes from. Once browned, drain any excess grease to keep the soup from getting too oily.
Step 2: Softening the Onions and Garlic
Next, add the diced onion to the same pot and cook over medium heat until they're soft and translucent—about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). This gentle sauté builds a beautiful aromatic base for your soup.
Step 3: Adding the Tomato Base and Seasonings
Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and canned diced tomatoes. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and toss in your bay leaves. Give it all a good stir and turn the heat up until it starts to simmer. Then, reduce to medium-low and let it gently bubble for 15–20 minutes. This resting time melds all those beautiful Italian flavors.
Step 4: Cooking the Lasagna Pasta
Break the lasagna noodles into bite-size pieces—about 1 to 2 inches works great. Add them into the simmering soup and cook for another 12–15 minutes until tender but still firm. The noodles soak up the flavorful broth without getting mushy if you keep an eye on them. Once done, take out the bay leaves and your soup base is ready!
Step 5: Whipping Up the Cheese Topping
While the noodles cook, mix ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. This cheesy blend is the star garnish on top, giving you all the layered lasagna love in a smooth, creamy dollop.
Step 6: Serving Up Your Homemade Lasagna Soup
Ladle the soup into bowls and generously spoon the cheese mixture on top. It melts slightly into the warm broth and creates that irresistible creamy texture that makes you want to dive right in. Enjoy it fresh and steaming!
Top Tip
After making this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe a bunch of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that totally elevate the experience and help avoid common pitfalls.
- Drain the Sausage Well: Leaving too much grease can make the soup overly oily; I always drain it carefully before adding the veggies.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Pasta keeps cooking a bit in the hot soup even after removal from heat, so take it off when it’s just shy of perfect.
- Cheese Mixing: Gently combine the cheeses so you don’t overwork the ricotta—it should stay creamy and not too dense.
- Adjusting Broth: Keep extra beef broth on hand, so if the noodles soak up too much liquid, you can thin the soup without diluting flavor.
How to Serve Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the soup with that luscious cheese mixture, but fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top add a lovely fresh note and make it look extra inviting. A crack of fresh black pepper never hurts either!
Side Dishes
Garlic bread or a warm baguette is my go-to pairing—perfect for dipping in the rich broth. A simple green salad on the side balances the meal beautifully, with something light and crisp to contrast the creamy soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, I like to serve this soup in mini cast iron skillets or bread bowls—it's such a crowd-pleaser at casual dinner parties and adds that fun, rustic touch everyone loves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover lasagna soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Sometimes, the noodles soak up a lot of broth overnight; in that case, I just add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating to loosen it up.
Freezing
Freezing lasagna soup can be a bit tricky because of the pasta. I recommend freezing the soup without the noodles and then cooking fresh pasta when you reheat. This way, you avoid mushy noodles and preserve the soup’s texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup seems thick or dry, add some broth or water as you warm it up to keep that perfect consistency. Garnish with fresh cheese topping right before serving for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Ground beef works fine if you don’t have Italian sausage. To keep the same flavor, you might want to add extra Italian seasoning and a pinch of fennel seeds if you have them.
Breaking the lasagna noodles into bite-size pieces and cooking them al dente is key. Also, avoid overcooking by checking the noodles a couple minutes before time’s up. If you plan leftovers, keep noodles separate when freezing and add fresh cooked noodles when reheating.
Yes! Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth. For protein, add sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or even some white beans. Don’t forget the Italian seasoning for that Italian kick. The cheese topping will still bring that creamy finish.
Definitely. You can mix the cheese topping in advance and keep it refrigerated for up to a day. Just give it a quick stir before serving to restore that creamy texture.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it captures all the comfort and flavor of traditional lasagna but in a way that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. It’s hearty, cheesy, and endlessly adaptable—once you try it, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to comforting meals too. Give it a whirl and enjoy the cozy vibes in every spoonful!
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Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Homemade Lasagna Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that captures the classic flavors of traditional lasagna in a warm, brothy soup. Packed with Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, and a cheesy ricotta topping, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying meal any day.
Ingredients
Soup
- 2 pounds ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 5 teaspoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ pound lasagna pasta broken into 1-2 inch pieces (about 2 cups)
Cheese Topping
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds of ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease and return the pot to medium-high heat.
- Sauté the vegetables and garlic: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 7 minutes. Stir in 5 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce, and 2 cans (15 ounces each) diced tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 bay leaves. Stir to combine and increase heat to high to bring to a simmer.
- Simmer the soup: Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Cook the pasta: Break the lasagna pasta into bite-size pieces and stir into the soup. Cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the noodles are tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves.
- Prepare the cheese topping: While the noodles cook, combine 16 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If the pasta absorbs too much liquid, add more beef broth to adjust consistency.
- Substitute lasagna pasta with other bite-size pasta shapes like bow tie or penne if desired.
- For a milder sausage flavor, use sweet Italian sausage instead of spicy.
- To reduce cooking time, use pre-cooked sausage or ground turkey.
- For added veggies, consider stirring in spinach or mushrooms during the simmering step.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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