Lasagna Soup Recipe
There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of lasagna, but I don’t always have the patience or time for all those layers. That’s exactly why I adore this Lasagna Soup Recipe — it delivers all those classic lasagna flavors in a cozy, slurpable form that you can whip up in less than an hour. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it on repeat for weeknight dinners or even casual get-togethers. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to customize.
Why This Recipe Works
- All-in-One Comfort: Combines all classic lasagna flavors without the fuss of layering noodles and cheese separately.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under an hour, perfect for busy nights but still feels like a special meal.
- Customizable: Easily swap ground beef for turkey or sausage, and adjust seasonings to fit your taste.
- Great for Leftovers: The flavors actually deepen overnight, making your next-day meal even better.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Lasagna Soup Recipe come together to mirror those rich, hearty lasagna flavors but in a more relaxed, spoon-friendly form. Choosing the right pasta and getting the seasoning just right will make all the difference here!

- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps brown the beef and onions for deep flavor.
- Ground Beef: Provides the meaty backbone of the soup; you can sub with turkey or Italian sausage for variety.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth — I always dice mine finely so it melts into the soup.
- Garlic: Essential for that classic Italian aroma and flavor punch.
- Diced Tomatoes: Bring fresh, tangy tomato flavor with a bit of texture.
- Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste: These intensify tomato richness and help thicken the broth.
- Chicken Broth: The savory base that holds everything together.
- Italian Seasoning: Keeps it simple but perfectly seasoned — a blend of herbs like basil and oregano.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Balance and highlight all those layers of flavor.
- Bowtie Pasta: I prefer this type because it holds up well and stays tender but not mushy.
- Ricotta, Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: The finishing trio on top adds creaminess, gooeyness, and sharpness that scream “lasagna.”
- Fresh Parsley: A fresh herbaceous pop to cut through the richness.
Tweak to Your Taste
What I love most about this Lasagna Soup Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily swap proteins, experiment with cheeses, or adjust the herb mix without losing that comforting lasagna vibe. It’s your kitchen, your canvas!
- Ground Turkey: I swapped beef for turkey once and still got all that cozy flavor but with fewer calories — a total win.
- Italian Sausage: Adds an extra spice kick and richness, perfect if you like a bit of heat.
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes: Use these instead of diced if you prefer a thicker, less chunky broth—perfect on chillier days.
- Cheese Toppings on the Side: I often serve cheese on the side, letting everyone add as much as they want — it’s fun and cuts down on mess.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Base
Start by heating your olive oil in a sturdy soup pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers — this signals it’s ready. Toss in the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Stir occasionally, breaking the beef into small chunks as it browns evenly. You’ll want the beef fully cooked and the onions softened, about 6–8 minutes. Don’t rush this step or skip draining excess fat if it’s rendering too much — you want a clean base without grease floating around.
Step 2: Build the Tomato Broth
Next, stir in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice, tomato sauce, and the tomato paste. These three work together to create a rich, thick tomato flavor that’s key to nailing the lasagna soup vibe. Follow with chicken broth, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir and crank the heat to bring the soup to a boil.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Soup
Once boiling, toss your bowtie pasta right into the pot. Then reduce the heat to a medium simmer to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently. I like to stir every couple of minutes here to prevent the pasta from sticking — it’s a little patience that pays off big later. Check the pasta for doneness after about 10 minutes to avoid overcooking, unless you like it softer.
Step 4: Adjust and Serve
Depending on how thick or brothy you want your soup, add a splash of water or extra broth to loosen the consistency. This part is totally personal — I usually add a bit to keep it spoon-friendly but still hearty. Then you can either gently stir in the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan for a creamy, cheesy bowl or serve those on the side so everyone customizes their own. Top with fresh parsley for that final freshness.
Pro Tips for Making Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Choose Sturdy Pasta: Bowtie or penne hold up best; avoid lasagna noodles since they get mushy by leftovers day 2.
- Stir Frequently: Keeps pasta from clumping and cooks it evenly throughout the soup.
- Adjust Broth Last: Add water or more broth after pasta cooks to get your perfect consistency without watering down flavors.
- Serve Cheese Separately: Especially if feeding guests with different tastes or dietary needs, letting everyone top their own bowl avoids waste and adds fun.
How to Serve Lasagna Soup Recipe

Garnishes
I’m all about those cheeses — ricotta dolloped right on top adds a creamy tenderness that melts perfectly into the hot broth. Mozzarella gives you those gooey stringy bites, and parmesan brings sharp salty notes. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens everything up and makes the bowl feel special, like you took the extra minute to care. Sometimes I throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes if I’m in the mood for a little heat.
Side Dishes
Since this soup is pretty hearty on its own, I usually pair it with something light and crisp. My go-to is a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or a side of garlic bread — who can resist garlic bread with any Italian meal? Sometimes, I even serve it with roasted veggies to balance all that cheese richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a cozy dinner party? Try serving the soup in small ramekins or bread bowls for a fun twist. You can even layer the toppings in little shot glasses to let guests build their perfect bowl. Another idea I love: sprinkle a little extra parmesan and chopped basil right before serving, it adds that restaurant-quality feel without extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always cool my leftover lasagna soup completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days, and honestly, the flavors get richer overnight, so leftovers often taste even better the next day. Just be sure to give it a good stir before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup several times, and it holds up wonderfully. I recommend freezing in portion-sized containers, leaving a little room at the top since the pasta expands slightly. When thawed, the pasta texture changes a bit but still tastes fantastic, especially if you plan to add fresh cheese when reheating.
Reheating
When reheating, I usually warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Because the pasta soaks up broth while stored, keep a little extra water or broth handy to loosen it up as it warms. Avoid microwaving straight from the fridge without thinning—it can get gummy quickly. Adding fresh cheese or a quick splash of olive oil after reheating breathes life back into the soup.
FAQs
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Can I use different types of pasta in this Lasagna Soup Recipe?
Absolutely! Sturdy pasta shapes like bowtie, rigatoni, penne, or macaroni work best because they hold up well in the broth without turning mushy quickly. Avoid lasagna sheets as they tend to fall apart after storing.
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Is there a vegetarian version of this Lasagna Soup Recipe?
Yes! You can skip the meat altogether and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils for added protein and texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and consider adding tofu or plant-based crumbles to keep that hearty feel.
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Can I prepare this soup in a pressure cooker?
Definitely! Start by sautéing beef, onions, and garlic in the pressure cooker using the sauté function. Then add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, paste, broth, seasoning, and pasta. Cook on high pressure for about 1 minute, then use quick release for al dente pasta or natural release for softer texture. Adjust broth consistency afterward.
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How can I prevent the pasta from sticking together in the soup?
Stir the soup frequently while the pasta cooks to prevent clumps. Also, avoid overcooking the pasta — cook just to al dente. Adding a little extra broth or water can also help keep pasta pieces separate and tender.
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What’s the best way to reheat leftover lasagna soup?
Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra broth or water as needed to loosen the noodles that will have soaked up the liquid. Microwave reheating is fine if you add a splash of broth and stir halfway through.
Final Thoughts
This Lasagna Soup Recipe holds a special place in my recipe rotation because it combines that classic, cozy lasagna feeling with ease and flexibility that fits my busy life. It’s perfect when I want something hearty but effortless, and I promise you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do. Give it a try, customize it your way, and watch it become a family favorite fast. Here’s to many delicious bowls shared with friends and family!
Print
Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This hearty Lasagna Soup combines the rich flavors of classic lasagna with the comforting warmth of a soup. Featuring ground beef, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bowtie pasta, it’s topped with creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley for a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil, or preferred oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can Diced Tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 (15-ounce) can Tomato Sauce, or tomato puree
- ⅓ cup Tomato Paste (about half of a 6-ounce can)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1-2 cups Water, to adjust consistency
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, or more as needed
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (uncooked)
Toppings
- ½ cup Ricotta Cheese
- 2 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, shaved, shredded, or fresh grated
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Heat a 4.5 quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the beef is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Tomato Products and Broth: Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add chicken broth, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add Pasta and Bring to Boil: Add the uncooked bowtie pasta noodles to the pot. Increase heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
- Simmer Soup Until Pasta is Cooked: Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked to your liking, stirring frequently to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Adjust Soup Consistency: Add water or additional broth in small increments to achieve desired soup consistency.
- Serve with Cheese and Parsley: You can stir in ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and parmesan cheese into the entire pot after it cools slightly or serve the cheeses on the side for individual servings. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
- Storage Instructions: Cool soup completely before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days. Reheat with added water or broth as needed.
Notes
- Use sturdy pasta types such as bowtie, macaroni, rigatoni, or penne to prevent noodles from falling apart in leftovers.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage as preferred, keeping cooking instructions the same.
- For a thicker broth, use canned crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes.
- If canned tomato products are unavailable, substitute with 24 ounces of marinara sauce plus 1 cup water.
- When reheating leftovers, add small amounts of water or broth to compensate for noodles absorbing liquid over time.
- Pressure cooker method: Sauté beef, onions, and garlic, then deglaze with broth. Add tomato products, broth, seasonings, and pasta. Pressure cook on high for 1 minute, quick release for al dente pasta or natural release for 10 minutes for softer pasta.
- If doubling, use an 8 or 10-quart pressure cooker due to volume.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg

