Lasagna Soup 🍅🧀🍲

This Lasagna Soup has everything you love about classic homemade lasagna—savory ground beef, Italian sausage, tomatoes, tender pasta, herbs, and plenty of creamy, cheesy goodness—but it all comes together in one comforting pot.

Instead of spending time layering and baking a traditional lasagna, you get those familiar flavors in a hearty soup that’s perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, chilly fall evenings, meal prep, or feeding a hungry family.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Servings: 6–8

Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup

• Classic lasagna flavor without all the layering
• Easy one-pot dinner
• Rich tomato and beef broth
• Tender pieces of lasagna noodles
• Creamy ricotta topping
• Plenty of melted mozzarella
• Ready in under an hour
• Great for leftovers
• Easy to make in the slow cooker
• Perfect comfort food for fall and winter

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 8–10 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups baby spinach, optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Ricotta Cheese Topping

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Pinch of black pepper

For Serving

• Extra shredded mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Fresh parsley
• Garlic bread

How to Make Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Brown the Meat

Place a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage.

Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking the meat into small crumbles as it browns.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

Step 2: Add the Onion

Add the diced onion to the browned meat.

Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

Step 3: Add the Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic.

Cook for approximately 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Don’t cook the garlic too long or it can become bitter.

Build the Tomato Base

Step 4: Cook the Tomato Paste

Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste.

Stir it into the meat and cook for approximately 1–2 minutes.

Briefly cooking the tomato paste helps deepen its flavor.

Step 5: Add Tomatoes

Pour in:

• Crushed tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes

Stir everything together.

Step 6: Add the Broth

Pour in 6 cups broth.

Add:

• Basil
• Oregano
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper

Stir well.

Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Add the Lasagna Noodles

Step 7: Break the Pasta

Break the uncooked lasagna noodles into approximately 1–2 inch pieces.

They don’t need to look perfect.

The irregular shapes actually give the soup a rustic homemade appearance.

Step 8: Cook the Pasta

Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the simmering soup.

Reduce the heat slightly.

Cook according to the pasta package directions, usually around 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stirring is important because the noodles can stick together or settle on the bottom of the pot.

Add the Spinach

During the final 2–3 minutes of cooking, stir in the baby spinach.

Cook until wilted.

The spinach is optional, but it’s an easy way to add extra vegetables without changing the classic lasagna flavor very much.

Make the Creamy Ricotta Topping

While the soup finishes cooking, combine in a small bowl:

• Ricotta
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Parsley
• Black pepper

Mix until creamy.

This simple cheese mixture is what really gives the soup its classic lasagna experience.

How to Serve Lasagna Soup

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

Place a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture in the center.

Sprinkle with additional mozzarella and Parmesan.

The cheese will slowly melt into the hot tomato broth.

Finish with fresh basil or parsley.

Serve immediately with warm garlic bread.

The Secret to Really Good Lasagna Soup

Use Beef and Italian Sausage

Ground beef gives the soup hearty flavor while Italian sausage adds extra seasoning and richness.

You can certainly use only beef, but the combination creates a deeper flavor.

Cook the Tomato Paste

Don’t simply add it with the liquid.

Cooking tomato paste briefly with the meat helps develop richer tomato flavor.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta

Lasagna noodles continue absorbing broth as the soup sits.

Cook them only until tender.

Add Cheese to Individual Bowls

Instead of stirring all the ricotta into the pot, place it on individual servings.

You get pockets of creamy cheese similar to traditional lasagna.

Creamy Lasagna Soup

For an extra-creamy version, add:

• ½ cup heavy cream

Stir it into the soup after the noodles have finished cooking.

Reduce the heat to low and warm gently.

Then serve with the ricotta mixture and mozzarella.

The result is a rich, creamy tomato broth.

Cheesy Lasagna Soup

If you’re making this for serious cheese lovers, increase the toppings.

Add to each bowl:

• Ricotta mixture
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan

You can even place oven-safe bowls under the broiler briefly to melt and lightly brown the mozzarella.

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

This recipe is easy to adapt for the slow cooker.

Step 1

Brown the beef and sausage in a skillet.

Drain excess grease.

Step 2

Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.

Add:

• Onion
• Garlic
• Tomato paste
• Crushed tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Broth
• Seasonings

Step 3

Cover and cook on:

LOW for 6–7 hours

or

HIGH for 3–4 hours.

Step 4

About 30–40 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles.

Continue cooking until tender.

Add spinach during the final few minutes.

Serve with the ricotta cheese mixture.

Crockpot Lasagna Soup Shortcut

For easier meal prep, cook the pasta separately.

Prepare the meat and tomato soup base in the slow cooker.

When you’re ready to eat, place cooked pasta in individual bowls and ladle the hot soup over it.

This method is especially useful if you expect leftovers because the noodles won’t absorb all the broth overnight.

Chicken Lasagna Soup

Replace the beef and sausage with approximately 3 cups cooked shredded chicken.

Use chicken broth instead of beef broth.

Add:

• Tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Spinach
• Lasagna noodles

Finish with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Spicy Lasagna Soup 🌶️

For a little heat, use hot Italian sausage.

You can also add:

• Extra red pepper flakes
• Diced jalapeño
• Cayenne pepper
• Spicy marinara

Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Vegetable Lasagna Soup

Skip the meat and add:

• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Spinach
• Carrots

Use vegetable broth.

Sauté the vegetables first, then continue with the tomato base and noodles.

Finish with the same ricotta mixture.

Sausage Lasagna Soup

Skip the ground beef and use 1½ pounds Italian sausage.

Both mild and spicy sausage work well.

This creates a particularly rich, savory soup with very little additional seasoning needed.

Can I Use Another Pasta?

Absolutely.

If you don’t have lasagna noodles, try:

• Mafaldine
• Bow-tie pasta
• Rigatoni
• Penne
• Rotini
• Ziti

Any sturdy pasta that holds up well in soup will work.

How to Keep the Pasta From Getting Mushy

This is especially important if you’re making the soup ahead.

Instead of cooking the noodles directly in the soup, boil them separately until al dente.

Drain.

Place pasta into individual bowls and ladle soup over it.

Store leftover noodles separately from the broth.

This keeps the pasta from continuing to absorb liquid in the refrigerator.

What to Serve with Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it’s even better with:

• Garlic bread
• Cheesy garlic bread
• Breadsticks
• Crusty Italian bread
• Caesar salad
• Garden salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Garlic Parmesan green beans

Warm garlic bread is especially good for soaking up the tomato broth and melted cheese.

Make-Ahead Instructions

For meal prep, prepare the soup base without the noodles.

Refrigerate it in an airtight container.

Cook the pasta separately and store it in another container.

When ready to serve, reheat the soup and add pasta to individual bowls.

Prepare the ricotta topping and keep it refrigerated separately.

This gives you much better leftovers than storing everything together.

Storage

Store leftover Lasagna Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days.

Keep the ricotta topping in a separate container.

If the noodles are already mixed into the soup, they’ll continue absorbing broth.

Simply add a splash of broth when reheating.

Can You Freeze Lasagna Soup?

Yes, but it’s best to freeze the soup without the pasta and cheese topping.

Prepare the tomato and meat soup base.

Cool completely.

Transfer to freezer-safe containers.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheat and add freshly cooked pasta.

Serve with fresh ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

How to Reheat Lasagna Soup

Stovetop

Place the soup in a saucepan.

Add a splash of broth if it has thickened.

Heat over medium-low heat until thoroughly hot.

Microwave

Place an individual serving in a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in intervals, stirring occasionally.

Add fresh ricotta and mozzarella after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lasagna Soup?

Lasagna Soup transforms the ingredients and flavors of traditional lasagna into a hearty tomato-based soup with beef, sausage, pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Do I cook the lasagna noodles first?

Not necessarily. You can cook broken noodles directly in the soup.

Can I cook the noodles separately?

Yes, and this is actually the best method if you’re planning for leftovers.

What meat is best?

A combination of ground beef and Italian sausage provides excellent flavor.

Can I use only ground beef?

Absolutely. Use approximately 1½ pounds of ground beef.

Can I use jarred marinara?

Yes. Marinara can replace some of the crushed tomatoes and seasonings for an easy shortcut.

Can I make Lasagna Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Cook the tomato and meat base slowly, then add pasta near the end.

Can I make it creamy?

Yes. Stir in approximately ½ cup heavy cream after the pasta cooks.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes. Cottage cheese can be used if you prefer its texture or already have it available.

Why did my soup become too thick?

The noodles absorb broth as they sit. Add additional broth until the soup reaches your preferred consistency.

Why did my noodles become mushy?

They were probably cooked too long or stored in the soup. For leftovers, cook and store pasta separately.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers all work well.

Can I freeze it?

Yes. Freeze the soup base without noodles or cheese for the best results.

Can I make it ahead?

Absolutely. Prepare the soup base ahead and add cooked pasta when reheating.

What cheese goes on Lasagna Soup?

A combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan gives it the most recognizable lasagna flavor.

Pro Tips

• Use a combination of beef and Italian sausage for richer flavor.
• Brown the meat thoroughly.
• Drain excessive grease before adding the broth.
• Cook tomato paste for a minute before adding liquids.
• Use crushed tomatoes for a rich soup base.
• Break lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces.
• Stir frequently while pasta cooks.
• Don’t overcook the noodles.
• Cook pasta separately when meal prepping.
• Use whole-milk ricotta for a creamy topping.
• Add mozzarella directly to hot bowls so it melts.
• Finish with freshly grated Parmesan.
• Add spinach near the end.
• Add broth when reheating if the soup becomes too thick.
• Freeze the soup without pasta for better texture.
• Serve with warm garlic bread.

Final Thoughts

This Lasagna Soup delivers all the cozy flavors of traditional lasagna without the work of assembling layers. Savory beef and Italian sausage simmer in a rich tomato broth with herbs and tender pasta, while ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan melt into each hot bowl.

Keep it classic, make it creamy, prepare it in the slow cooker, or load it with extra vegetables. Paired with garlic bread and a simple salad, it’s an easy, hearty dinner that brings classic lasagna comfort to one pot