Nothing beats the moment when you lift that ladle and see creamy, cheesy soup loaded with all your favorite lasagna flavors. This best lasagna soup recipe has been taking over dinner tables everywhere because it delivers all that comfort without the layering fuss.
Think classic lasagna meets cozy soup night in one pot. You get tender pasta, rich tomato broth, and dollops of creamy ricotta that melt right in. No assembly required, no waiting for layers to set. Just pure Italian comfort that comes together on the stovetop in about 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have.
Started perfecting this recipe back in 2018 when my herb garden was overflowing with fresh basil. The first time I stirred in that ricotta mixture, watching it create those creamy pockets throughout the soup, I knew I’d found something special. My trick? Add the ricotta off the heat so it stays silky instead of curdling.
PrintThe Best Lasagna Soup Recipe Guaranteed to Delight
Enjoy The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe, a perfect blend of cozy flavors ideal for Easy Fall Soup Recipes. This One Pot Lasagna Soup delivers comforting Italian soup notes with creamy ricotta and hearty ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 Cloves Garlic small minced
- 1 Red Onion minced
- 1 Bell Pepper minced
- ½ teaspoon Fresh Oregano chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh Basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 32 Ounces Beef Broth
- ½ Cup Ricotta
- 32 Ounces Marinara Sauce *Rao’s is our favorite
- 14 Ounces Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 inch Parmesan Rind
- 2 Cups Lasagna Noodles broken
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- Garlic Bread for dipping
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Add the garlic and onion, stirring constantly, and cook until they soften and turn translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Toss in the bell pepper, oregano, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper; mix well and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and brown it thoroughly, draining any excess fat afterward.
- Stir in the ricotta cheese so it blends with the meat evenly.
- Pour in the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and add the Parmesan rind; allow the soup to simmer for at least 30 minutes, longer if possible for deeper flavor.
- During the last 15 minutes of simmering, add the broken lasagna noodles and cook until tender.
- Remove the Parmesan rind, divide the soup into oven-safe dishes, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and extra ricotta if desired.
- Place under a high broiler until the cheese melts and becomes golden, then serve with garlic bread.
Notes
- You can use 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 Italian Sausage for more flavor You can use any onion you’d like, but I tend to use red like our bolognese sauce If you don’t have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute half the amount of dry herbs
- You can freeze this soup for up to 6 months, but never with the lasagna noodles or they will absorb liquid
- Cool completely and freeze in heavy duty freezer bag or in a covered freezer container
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 675kcal
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 1767mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g + 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 79mg
Why You’ll Fall Head Over Heels for This Soup
This one-pot lasagna soup captures everything we love about traditional lasagna without the marathon assembly session. You get all those familiar Italian flavors – rich marinara, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella – swirled together in a cozy bowl that’s ready in just over an hour.
What makes this recipe truly special is how the ricotta melts into silky pockets throughout the broth, creating that signature creamy lasagna texture we all crave. The broken lasagna noodles provide satisfying chewy bites, while the Parmesan rind adds a depth of flavor that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
Pro Tip: This soup actually tastes even better the next day as all those herbs and spices meld together, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd during busy weeknights.
Key Ingredients That Make the Magic Happen
The beauty of this creamy lasagna soup lies in how simple pantry staples transform into something that tastes like you’ve been simmering it all day. The fresh herbs – oregano, basil, and parsley – create that authentic Italian flavor base that dried herbs just can’t quite match.
- Ricotta cheese: The secret to that creamy, dreamy texture – add it off heat to keep it silky.
- Parmesan rind: This little flavor bomb infuses the entire soup with nutty, aged cheese goodness.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: Adds a subtle smoky depth that elevates the entire broth.
- Fresh garlic and red onion: The aromatic foundation that makes your kitchen smell like an Italian grandmother’s home.
Note: If fresh herbs aren’t available, use half the amount of dried herbs, but add them with the ground beef for better flavor distribution.
Step-by-Step: How This Soup Comes Together
Start by building your flavor base with olive oil, garlic, and red onion in a heavy-bottomed pot. This foundation is crucial – allow those aromatics to become translucent and fragrant before moving to the next step. The bell pepper and fresh herbs go in next, creating layers of flavor that make this soup sing.
Once your ground beef is browned and the grease is drained, here’s where the magic happens. Stir in the ricotta while the meat is still warm – it melts slightly and creates those creamy ribbons throughout the soup. Then add your liquids: beef broth, marinara sauce, and those fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
| Step | Time | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Sauté aromatics | 5-7 minutes | Building flavor base |
| Brown beef | 6-8 minutes | Creating hearty texture |
| Simmer soup | 30+ minutes | Melding all flavors |
| Add noodles | Last 15 minutes | Perfect al dente texture |
Pro Tip: Don’t add those broken lasagna noodles until the final 15 minutes – they’ll absorb too much liquid and get mushy if added too early.
The Final Touch: Broiled Cheese Perfection
Here’s what sets this recipe apart from other easy fall soup recipes – that gorgeous broiled cheese top that bubbles and browns just like real lasagna. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with mozzarella cheese, and slide under the broiler until golden and bubbly.
Remove the Parmesan rind before serving (it’s done its job!), and don’t forget the garlic bread for dipping. Trust me, you’ll want something to catch every last drop of this incredible broth.
Troubleshooting and Kitchen Wisdom
The most common hiccup with this soup happens when the ricotta curdles instead of staying creamy. The trick is timing – stir it into the warm ground beef off the heat, or add it to the finished soup just before serving. If it does clump up, don’t panic – just blend a cup of the soup and stir it back in.
- Soup too thin? Let it simmer uncovered for 10-15 more minutes to reduce and concentrate flavors.
- Too thick? Add more beef broth, a half cup at a time, until you reach your perfect consistency.
- Noodles getting mushy? Cook them separately and add to individual bowls for leftovers.
Storage Note: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 6 months, but never freeze it with the noodles already added – they’ll turn to mush when reheated.
Make It Your Own: Swaps and Variations
This lasagna soup with ricotta is wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have in your pantry or prefer on your table. The recipe shines with half ground beef and half Italian sausage for extra flavor complexity, or you can easily make it lighter by using ground turkey instead.
| Original Ingredient | Easy Swap | Flavor Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | Half beef, half Italian sausage | More complex, spicier flavor |
| Red onion | Yellow or white onion | Milder, sweeter taste |
| Lasagna noodles | Penne or rigatoni | Easier to eat, holds sauce well |
| Fresh herbs | Half amount dried herbs | Still delicious, less bright |
For a lighter version, try using part-skim ricotta and reduce the mozzarella by half. The soup will still be creamy and satisfying, just not quite as indulgent. You can also bulk it up with extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach, stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving and Storage Made Simple
This soup serves 6 generous portions and pairs beautifully with crusty garlic bread for dipping and a simple green salad. The broiled cheese top makes each bowl feel special enough for company, but it’s easy enough for a Tuesday night dinner.
Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and actually improve in flavor as they sit. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth to loosen the consistency, since the noodles continue absorbing liquid even when stored.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the soup base without noodles up to 2 days ahead.
- Freezer-friendly: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 6 months (without noodles).
- Quick reheat: Thaw overnight, warm gently, then add fresh cooked noodles.
- Serving suggestion: Ladle into warmed bowls and offer extra ricotta, fresh basil.
Expert Says
Using layered ingredients like in the best lasagna soup recipe creates a balanced flavor profile, while simmering allows collagen from the meat to break down, enriching the broth. The combination of tomatoes and herbs delivers antioxidants, making this hearty dish both satisfying and nutritionally beneficial.
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The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe
It took many simmering afternoons and a few too many burnt bottoms to finally get this lasagna soup just right. Each attempt helped me balance the layering of flavors and textures, and now this recipe is the comforting bowl of rich, herby goodness my family reaches for on chilly nights.
FAQs ( The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe )
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
This meal holds up well refrigerated for up to 3 days. Prepare it fully, then cool and store in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth to maintain the creamy texture. Some pasta may absorb liquid overnight, so adding broth when reheating helps freshen it up.
What pasta is best for this dish?
Wide noodles or broken lasagna sheets work great, but Italian tortellini also fits the flavor profile well if you want to try a twist. Avoid small pastas that disintegrate easily during simmering. This recipe’s texture shines with pasta that holds shape but absorbs flavors without turning mushy.
Can I substitute ricotta with another cheese?
Ricotta adds creaminess and mild flavor, but cottage cheese or cream cheese are fine alternatives if you prefer. Just blend them well to avoid lumps. For a richer texture, stirring in some mascarpone or a mild cream cheese works nicely to keep the dish creamy without overwhelming other flavors.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add crushed red pepper flakes during cooking or a dash of hot sauce when serving to introduce heat. Some cooks also use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild to boost flavor and spice levels. Adjust gradually to keep the balance of flavors intact without overpowering the soup’s creamy base.
Is this soup freezable?
This soup freezes well before adding dairy components. Freeze in portioned containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Add ricotta or cream after reheating to keep the texture fresh. Pasta might soften after freezing, so slightly undercooking it before freezing helps retain its bite.
You’ll love how this best lasagna soup recipe transforms your kitchen into an Italian haven in just about an hour. The way the ricotta melts into silky ribbons while the herbs bloom in the broth creates pure comfort magic. Every spoonful delivers those familiar lasagna flavors we crave, but with the cozy embrace only soup can provide.
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable; for example, try swapping half the ground beef for spicy Italian sausage for a richer flavor. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of broth, and the flavors actually deepen overnight.
I’d love to see how this soup warms your table! Share your photos and tell me – do you have a family soup that brings everyone running to the kitchen? This recipe is perfect for passing along to friends who need a little comfort in a bowl. Save it for those chilly evenings when only something truly soul-satisfying will do.
