Lasagna is a comfort food classic — rich, cheesy, and layered with savory goodness. But what if you could capture all the flavors of lasagna in a dish that’s faster, easier, and just as satisfying? Enter Lasagna Soup, a hearty bowl of everything you love about the traditional baked dish, served up in a cozy, spoonable form. It’s lasagna’s laid-back cousin and the perfect answer to busy weeknights.
This recipe transforms the core ingredients of lasagna — ground meat, tomatoes, pasta, and cheese — into a flavorful, simmered soup that’s both hearty and comforting. You still get the gooey melted cheese, the bold Italian herbs, and the richness of a tomato base, but without the layers, baking time, or kitchen fuss. It’s a one-pot wonder that feels like a hug in a bowl.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make classic Lasagna Soup from scratch, including tips on building rich flavors, getting the pasta texture just right, and creating that signature cheesy topping. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a cozy solo dinner, this soup delivers all the comfort of lasagna — with half the effort.
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Best Time to Eat & How to Partner This Dish
Lasagna Soup is best enjoyed as a hearty lunch or comforting dinner, especially on chilly evenings when you want something warm and filling. It’s ideal for casual family meals, cozy weekends, or as a simple dish to make ahead for busy weekdays.
Serve Lasagna Soup with crusty garlic bread or a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the richness. A sprinkle of fresh basil or a dollop of ricotta on top adds an extra touch of authenticity. For drinks, a glass of Chianti or a light Italian red wine makes a perfect pairing.
This soup also works great as part of a casual gathering or potluck — easy to make in big batches and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s satisfying enough to serve on its own but versatile enough to pair with a variety of sides.
Some traditionalists argue that Lasagna Soup isn’t “real” lasagna — after all, it skips the iconic layering and baking that define the classic dish. But this view misses the point. Lasagna Soup isn’t trying to replace lasagna; it’s a creative twist that brings the same flavors into a more convenient, weeknight-friendly format.
Another misconception is that soups are always lighter or less satisfying than baked dishes. In reality, Lasagna Soup is every bit as hearty and filling as the original — sometimes even more so, thanks to its rich broth and generous cheese topping. It’s comfort food with all the flavor, minus the heavy prep.
And perhaps most debated: some believe that breaking classic dishes into new forms cheapens their culinary heritage. But Lasagna Soup shows how recipes can evolve while still honoring their roots. It’s a reminder that good food is about flavor, comfort, and creativity — not strict rules.
How to Make Lasagna Soup
Lasagna Soup Recipe Ingredients
For the Soup
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken or beef broth
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
For Serving (Optional)
Crusty bread
Extra Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley
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How To Make Lasagna Soup
Brown the Meat
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add Broth and Tomatoes
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Pour in the broth, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the Noodles
Add the broken lasagna noodles to the soup, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until well-mixed and creamy.
Serve the Soup
Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls. Top each bowl with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
How Many Calories Have Lasagna Soup
Calories: ~400-450 kcal per bowl
Protein: ~20-25g
Fat: ~20g
Carbohydrates: ~30-35g
Origin and History
Lasagna soup may feel like a modern twist, but its inspiration comes straight from centuries of Italian cooking. Classic lasagna emerged in regions like Emilia-Romagna, where cooks layered handmade pasta sheets with ragù, béchamel, and cheese. As Italian cuisine traveled globally, home cooks began adapting traditional dishes to suit busier lifestyles and smaller kitchens. That shift opened the door for more flexible, deconstructed versions of iconic recipes.
The idea of turning lasagna into a soup appeared in American kitchens during the late 20th century, when comfort food trends began merging with one-pot convenience. Italian-American families loved the flavors and richness of lasagna but didn’t always have time to make an entire pan from scratch. The solution was simple: take every beloved element of lasagna and simmer it into something warm, hearty, and easier to prepare.
As blogs and cookbooks embraced creative comfort food, lasagna soup gained traction. Today, it’s enjoyed as a cold-weather staple because it offers everything people crave from classic lasagna—deep tomato flavor, tender noodles, melted cheese—without the long prep time. It’s proof that even the most traditional dishes can evolve into something new and comforting.
One debate around lasagna soup is whether it counts as a true lasagna. Purists argue that without the layered structure, it’s simply pasta soup. But others insist that flavor defines a dish more than form. The soup captures the essence of lasagna—savory tomato broth, Italian sausage or beef, herbs, and cheesy richness—so they see it as a valid interpretation.
Another point of disagreement is the cheese. Some cooks sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan directly into the pot, while others create a dollop of ricotta mixture to sit on top of each bowl. Traditionalists claim that adding cheese into the broth changes the texture too much. Modern cooks counter that melting cheese throughout the soup gives it a creamy, luxurious feel that regular lasagna can’t match.
People also debate noodle choice. Broken lasagna sheets offer authenticity, but many home cooks use farfalle, fusilli, or even penne for convenience. Critics argue that using different pasta shapes turns the dish into generic tomato soup with noodles. Supporters respond that lasagna soup was born from practicality, not strict rules, and that flexibility is part of its appeal.
How Long You Take to Prepare
Lasagna soup is surprisingly quick to make. Most versions come together in 30 to 40 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight option. Browning the meat and sautéing the aromatics take around 10 minutes, laying the foundation for the soup’s richness.
Simmering the broth with tomatoes, seasonings, and herbs usually takes another 10 to 15 minutes. This short simmer pulls flavors together without requiring the long, slow cooking traditional lasagna demands. Meanwhile, the pasta cooks directly in the pot or separately, depending on your preferred texture.
Once the noodles are tender, all that’s left is assembling the cheese. Some people prepare a quick ricotta mixture while the soup simmers. When the soup is ready, everything comes together instantly. You get the comfort of lasagna with a fraction of the time and effort.
Serving Suggestions
Lasagna soup is already rich and satisfying, but pairing it with the right sides elevates the meal. Garlic bread is the classic companion, offering a crunchy contrast to the creamy broth. A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette also cuts through the richness, creating a well-balanced dish.
If you want to boost the meal into something heartier, serve the soup with roasted vegetables or a plate of antipasto. The acidity from olives, marinated peppers, or grilled artichokes pairs beautifully with the deep tomato flavors in the soup.
For toppings, the cheese mixture is the star. A scoop of ricotta topped with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan melts into the hot broth, creating that unmistakable lasagna-like finish. Fresh basil or parsley adds brightness, while a drizzle of olive oil brings a little extra richness.
Final Thoughts
Lasagna soup is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It packs in all the flavors people love—herby broth, tender noodles, creamy cheese—without requiring hours in the kitchen. Once you try it, you may find yourself reaching for this recipe more often than traditional lasagna, especially on busy nights.
This dish also captures the heart of modern home cooking. It honors tradition while allowing room for creativity. Whether you stick to classic ingredients or personalize it with vegetables, spicy sausage, or different pasta shapes, the soup remains warm, satisfying, and deeply comforting.
If you’re craving something cozy that hits all the nostalgic notes of lasagna but feels lighter, faster, and easier, lasagna soup fits the bill perfectly. It’s a bowl of comfort that brings everyone to the table, no layering required.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.