Lasagna Soup Recipe
Lasagna Soup is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines all the ingredients of traditional lasagna—pasta, cheese, tomato sauce, and herbs—into a hearty, broth-based soup. It’s perfect for a cold winter night, an easy weeknight dinner, or any time you’re craving the flavors of lasagna without the effort of layering and baking. This version of lasagna soup is a one-pot meal, making cleanup easier while still delivering all the rich, savory flavors you love in a lasagna.
The beauty of Lasagna Soup lies in its versatility. You can customize it with different types of meats, add vegetables, or even adjust the cheese to fit your preferences. The soup can be made with ground beef, pork, turkey, or even left vegetarian. And the best part? It’s a wonderfully cozy meal that will feed a crowd or provide delicious leftovers.
Why Lasagna Soup Is So Popular
Lasagna Soup has gained widespread popularity in recent years due to its ability to deliver the classic lasagna taste in a more simplified and accessible form. Unlike traditional lasagna, which can take some time to assemble and bake, lasagna soup comes together in one pot, requiring minimal prep and cook time. It’s also a more flexible dish that can be modified to fit different dietary restrictions, making it a go-to option for many families and gatherings.
Additionally, Lasagna Soup is inherently comforting, rich, and indulgent, which makes it an ideal choice when you want to enjoy the flavors of a classic Italian dish with fewer steps and less mess. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or hosting a small dinner party, this soup is sure to please.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Lasagna Soup
Step 1: Cook the Meat
Start by heating a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or your choice of meat) to the pot and break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pot, leaving just enough to add flavor to the soup.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Add the chopped onion to the pot with the cooked meat and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the Tomato Base
Next, add the can of diced tomatoes (with juices) and tomato paste to the pot. Stir to combine. The tomato paste will help thicken the soup and give it a rich, concentrated tomato flavor. Let this cook together for 2-3 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Step 4: Add the Broth and Seasonings
Pour in the beef or chicken broth, stirring well to combine with the tomatoes and meat. Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme (if using), red pepper flakes (for heat), and the bay leaf. Stir everything together, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes, which will give the flavors a chance to meld together.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta
While the soup is simmering, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta (broken lasagna noodles, fusilli, penne, or whatever pasta you prefer) according to the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, then toss it with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Alternatively, you can add uncooked broken lasagna noodles directly into the simmering soup and let them cook in the broth, but you may need to add extra broth if the soup thickens too much during this step.
Step 6: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture
While the soup is simmering, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will be dolloped into the soup when serving.
Step 7: Add the Pasta to the Soup
Once the soup has simmered for 10-15 minutes and the flavors have developed, stir in the cooked pasta. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat the pasta through and allow it to absorb the flavors of the broth. Remove the bay leaf at this point.
Step 8: Serve the Soup
Ladle the hot lasagna soup into bowls. Add a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture to the center of each bowl. The ricotta will melt into the hot soup, adding a creamy texture that mimics the cheesy layers of a traditional lasagna. Sprinkle with additional shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, or fresh basil if desired.
Tips for Perfect Lasagna Soup
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Choose Your Meat: Ground beef is the classic choice for lasagna soup, but you can mix it up with ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage for different flavor profiles.
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Pasta: Broken lasagna noodles are ideal because they resemble the layers of lasagna. However, any pasta can be used. Just keep in mind that smaller pasta shapes will absorb more broth and may cause the soup to thicken.
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Vegetarian Version: To make this soup vegetarian, simply skip the meat and add extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms. You can also add crumbled tofu or a plant-based meat substitute for a protein boost.
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Cheese Mixture: For a more indulgent soup, you can add more cheese to the ricotta mixture or sprinkle more cheese on top of the soup after serving. Go for mozzarella, provolone, or a sharp cheddar for added depth.
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Adjust the Broth: If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth, or let the soup simmer longer to evaporate some of the liquid. For a lighter soup, you can increase the broth and even add a bit of cream for extra richness.
Variations of Lasagna Soup
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Italian Sausage Lasagna Soup: Swap out the ground beef for Italian sausage for a slightly spicier and more flavorful version of the soup. You can use either sweet or spicy sausage, depending on your taste preferences.
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Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: For a meatless version, substitute the ground beef with vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini. You can also add a plant-based meat alternative for protein if desired.
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Lasagna Soup with Ricotta & Spinach: For a variation that mimics the filling of a classic lasagna, add sautéed spinach to the ricotta mixture or stir it into the soup before serving.
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Spicy Lasagna Soup: Add extra red pepper flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce, to bring some heat to your soup. You can also add a jalapeño or other chili peppers for a more complex spicy flavor.
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Creamy Lasagna Soup: For a creamier version, stir in a half-cup of heavy cream or whole milk to the soup after adding the broth. This will give the soup a rich, velvety texture that adds to the comfort factor.
Conclusion
Lasagna Soup is a fantastic dish that captures all the flavors of lasagna in a simpler, more accessible form. Whether you’re looking for a comforting winter meal or a way to feed a hungry family, this soup fits the bill perfectly. It’s easy to make, highly customizable, and sure to satisfy your craving for lasagna.
You can make it your own with various meats, vegetables, and cheese combinations, ensuring it becomes a favorite in your home for years to come.
Lasagna Soup Recipe
Lasagna Soup is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines all the ingredients of traditional lasagna—pasta, cheese, tomato sauce, and herbs—into a hearty, broth-based soup. It's perfect for a cold winter night, an easy weeknight dinner, or any time you're craving the flavors of lasagna without the effort of layering and baking. This version of lasagna soup is a one-pot meal, making cleanup easier while still delivering all the rich, savory flavors you love in a lasagna.
Ingredients
- For the Soup:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 12-14 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (about 3-inch pieces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Ricotta Mixture:
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried basil (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the meat:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Add the liquids and seasoning:
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
3. Add the lasagna noodles:
- Break the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces (about 3-inch chunks) and add them to the pot. Stir them into the soup, then cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Prepare the ricotta mixture:
- While the soup is simmering, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the soup:
- Once the noodles are cooked, ladle the soup into bowls. Spoon a dollop of the ricotta mixture on top of each bowl of soup. You can swirl it into the soup or leave it as a creamy topping.
6. Serve:
- Sprinkle extra shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top and serve with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Noodles: You can substitute broken lasagna noodles with other pasta shapes like fusilli or rotini if you prefer.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat and use vegetable broth, adding more vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach for a hearty, vegetarian version of lasagna soup.