The Ultimate Lasagna Soup Recipe: Creamy, Hearty, and Fuss-Free Comfort Food

This Lasagna Soup Recipe is the ultimate comfort food for any season! Imagine a bowl filled with a rich, creamy tomato base, generously packed with savory Italian sausage and wholesome vegetables, tender broken lasagna noodles, and crowned with an irresistible blend of mascarpone and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s all the beloved flavors and textures of traditional lasagna, but made simpler and served in a comforting bowl.

From My Kitchen: Creamy Lasagna Soup Without the Work!

I grew up absolutely loving lasagna! It was the star dish at almost every family gathering and special Sunday dinner. The comforting layers of perfectly cooked noodles, velvety ricotta, a rich, hearty sauce, and an abundance of cheese were, to me, the very definition of comfort food.

However, let’s be honest: traditional lasagna is a labor of love, requiring significant time and patience to meticulously build all those delicious layers. Some nights, after a long day, I simply don’t have the energy for such an elaborate process. That’s precisely when the idea for this incredible lasagna soup came to me. I craved all those deeply satisfying, cheesy flavors of classic lasagna, but in a convenient, fuss-free bowl that I could whip up without the extensive effort.

The very first time I served this soup to my family, it was an instant and resounding hit! The rich, creamy tomato broth, combined with savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and an ample amount of cheese, quickly made it a new favorite at our dinner table. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want gourmet flavor without the fuss, bringing warmth and joy to every spoonful.

Why You’ll Adore This Lasagna Soup

This lasagna soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, transforming a classic favorite into an accessible weeknight delight. Here’s why it will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation:

• All the Flavor, Half the Work: Enjoy every delicious bite of traditional lasagna without the time-consuming layering process. It’s the ultimate comfort food simplified.
• One-Pot Potential: While the pasta cooks separately for best results, the soup base itself comes together beautifully in a single large pot, minimizing cleanup.
• Customizable: Easily adapt it to your taste preferences or dietary needs. Swap proteins, add more veggies, or make it completely vegetarian.
• Hearty & Satisfying: Loaded with savory sausage, tender pasta, and creamy cheese, this soup is incredibly filling and satisfying, perfect for a cozy meal.
• Family Favorite: With its familiar flavors and comforting texture, this soup is guaranteed to be a hit with both adults and children alike.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Lasagna Soup

Crafting this incredible lasagna soup requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in building its depth of flavor and creamy texture. Below is a comprehensive list, along with smart swaps and helpful tips to make your cooking experience seamless and delicious.

Ingredient Breakdown & Smart Swaps

Crafting Your Delicious Lasagna Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this hearty lasagna soup is surprisingly straightforward, delivering complex flavors with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps to create a comforting meal that tastes like it simmered all day.

Detailed Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta: Begin by boiling the lasagna sheets in generously salted water according to package directions until al dente. This is your only chance to season the pasta properly! Once cooked, drain them, rinse briefly under cold water to prevent sticking, and toss lightly with a tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your mirepoix (onions, celery, carrots), season with a good pinch of salt and black pepper, and cook for about 4 minutes until they begin to soften and become fragrant.
3. Brown the Sausage: Push the softened vegetables to one side of the pot. Add the ground Italian sausage to the empty space. Break it apart and cook until it’s deeply browned and wonderfully caramelized. This browning is crucial for developing rich, savory flavor. If there’s excessive grease, carefully drain it off.
4. Infuse with Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed fennel seeds, and the tomato paste. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes. The tomato paste should darken slightly, indicating it’s caramelizing and its flavor is intensifying.
5. Build the Broth: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sausage and vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the chicken stock while continuously stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to incorporate any flavorful browned bits. Add the bay leaf, bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure nothing sticks and the flavors meld.
6. Finish with Cream & Greens: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the soup back to a low simmer until it begins to thicken slightly to your desired consistency. Finally, add the baby spinach and cook for just 1-2 minutes until it’s wilted and vibrant green.
7. Serve & Enjoy: To serve, place a portion of the cooked lasagna noodles into individual bowls. Ladle the hot, rich lasagna soup over the pasta. Top generously with dollops of creamy mascarpone cheese (or ricotta), a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, and a garnish of thinly sliced fresh basil leaves for a burst of freshness. Serve immediately and savor every comforting spoonful!

Pro Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup

Elevate your lasagna soup from good to absolutely phenomenal with these expert tips:

• Generously Salt the Pasta Water: This is a non-negotiable step! Pasta absorbs flavor from the water it’s cooked in. If your pasta water isn’t salty enough (think like the ocean), your noodles will be bland, and the entire soup will suffer.
• Don’t Skip Sautéing the Tomato Paste: Cooking the tomato paste until it deepens in color (often called “blooming” or “caramelizing”) is crucial. This process unlocks its rich, concentrated umami flavor, transforming it from acidic to sweet and robust.
• Crush Your Fennel Seeds: For a true Italian sausage flavor, crushing the fennel seeds is key. This releases their aromatic oils, infusing the soup with a distinctive, warm, and slightly licorice-like note. Use a spice grinder, a mortar and pestle, or even a plastic bag and a rolling pin for this.
• Brown Your Sausage Well: Don’t rush the browning process for the Italian sausage. Allowing it to develop a deep, caramelized crust on the bottom of the pot adds immense depth of flavor, known as fond, which will be scraped up later to enrich the broth.
• Freshly Grate Your Cheese: While pre-grated cheese is convenient, fresh Parmesan (and other hard cheeses) melts smoother and offers a far superior flavor profile, free from anti-caking agents.

Effortless Lasagna Soup: Time-Saving Shortcuts

Even though this lasagna soup is already simplified, there are still ways to cut down on prep time and get dinner on the table even faster:

• Pre-made Mirepoix: Look for pre-chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the produce section or the frozen aisle of your grocery store. This saves a significant amount of chopping time. Alternatively, use a food processor to quickly dice your own vegetables.
• Pre-minced Garlic: For ultimate convenience, use pre-minced garlic from a jar or a garlic press instead of finely chopping fresh garlic cloves.
• Crockpot Version: For a completely hands-off approach, consider making this crockpot lasagna soup. It’s perfect for those days when you need dinner ready with minimal effort.
• Quick Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Skip the Italian sausage entirely for a delicious and easy vegetarian lasagna soup. You can add extra vegetables, a can of cannellini beans, or even some textured vegetable protein for more heartiness.

Storing and Reheating Your Lasagna Soup for Best Results

Proper storage is key to enjoying leftover lasagna soup. To maintain the best texture and flavor, especially for the pasta, follow these simple guidelines:

• Separate Storage: The most crucial tip is to store the cooked pasta and the soup base in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and absorbing too much liquid, which can thicken the soup excessively. It will keep well for 3-5 days.
• Cheese Storage: Any fresh mascarpone or Parmesan cheese intended for topping should also be stored separately and added fresh when serving.
• Reheating Instructions: When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, gently warm the soup base on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup has thickened too much, add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency. In your serving bowl, add the desired amount of cooked pasta first, then ladle the hot soup over it. This method ensures the pasta retains its texture and the soup remains flavorful.

What To Serve With Lasagna Soup: Perfect Pairings

This hearty lasagna soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple accompaniments to make your dinner even more special. Complement its rich flavors with something fresh or something to soak up every last drop.

The Full Lasagna Soup Recipe Card

Lasagna Soup Recipe

By
Chelsea Lords

This Lasagna Soup Recipe is the ultimate cozy meal, bringing all the comfort of classic lasagna into one pot. It’s loaded with a rich tomato broth, hearty sausage, tender lasagna noodles, and a medley of veggies. And of course, it’s finished off with plenty of melty cheese on top!

Prep Time:

40 minutes

Cook Time:

30 minutes

Total Time:

1 hour
10 minutes

Servings:

8
servings

Equipment

• 2 Large pot

Ingredients

• 10 uncooked lasagna sheets broken into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 3 cups mirepoix or use 1 cup finely diced of each: onion, celery, carrots
• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage see note 1
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed crushed, see note 2
• 1 bay leaf optional
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/3 cup flour
• 6 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 cups baby spinach coarsely chopped
• Mascarpone cheese or ricotta, for topping, see note 3
• Fresh basil leaves thinly sliced, optional

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add mirepoix, season with salt and pepper (I use 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper), and cook for about 4 minutes until beginning to soften. Push veggies to the side and add sausage. Sear, then crumble and cook until deeply browned and nicely caramelized. Drain excess grease if needed.
2. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, 3–5 minutes until fragrant and the paste darkens slightly.
3. Sprinkle flour over sausage and veggies. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually add chicken stock while stirring, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add bay leaf, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pot.
4. In a separate large pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and cook broken lasagna pieces as per package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water for 30 seconds, and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
5. Stir in cream and bring the soup to a low simmer until it slightly thickens. Add spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
6. Add some cooked pasta to each bowl, ladle the soup on top, and stir together. Top with mascarpone cheese, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Use mild or spicy sausage depending on preference. The more marbled and colorful the sausage, the more flavor it will contribute to this soup. If using sausage in casings, remove the casings before cooking.
Note 2: Crush fennel seeds using a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or in a bag with a rolling pin.
Note 3: I like a scoop of mascarpone cheese best, but ricotta works as a substitute. Use a fine grater to freshly grate a block of Parmesan over each bowl.
Storage: You can store pasta and soup in separate containers in the fridge for 3–5 days. Store cheese separately. To reheat, warm the soup on low heat, adding some chicken broth if needed. Add pasta to your bowl, then pour hot soup over it.

Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)

• Serving: 1 serving
• Calories: 677 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Fat: 46 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 116 mg
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Potassium: 564 mg
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 9 g
• Vitamin A: 2008 IU
• Vitamin C: 9 mg
• Calcium: 100 mg
• Iron: 3 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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