All the Flavor of Lasagna—Without All the Layers!
Let’s be honest: making a full-blown lasagna can feel like a project. But when you’re craving that rich tomato-meat sauce, herby flavor, and cheesy goodness on a busy weeknight, this lasagna soup is your best friend.
It’s got everything you love—beef, sausage, garlic, oregano, basil, and yes, that magical ricotta-Parmesan topping—all simmered into a cozy, comforting bowl of goodness. Bonus? It comes together with way less fuss, and the flavor payoff is still top notch.
So here’s the question: Do you stir your ricotta in, or savor it on top bite by bite? I won’t judge either way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day!
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1 lb ground beef
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1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy—your call!)
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1 medium onion, diced
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1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juice
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1 jar (24–26 oz) spaghetti sauce (Ragu Garden or your favorite)
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~4 cups chicken broth, adjust for desired soup thickness
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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2 tsp dried oregano
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2 tsp dried basil
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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8–10 lasagna noodles
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2 tsp olive oil
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8 oz ricotta cheese
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½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Lasagna Soup
You’ll use two pots here—one for soup, one for noodles—but it’s still a low-stress dish perfect for busy nights.
1. Brown the Meat
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Remove casings from the sausage and add it to a large pot with ground beef and diced onion.
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Cook over medium heat, breaking up sausage into bite-sized pieces. Sauté until meat is browned and onions are tender.
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Drain the grease.
2. Simmer the Soup
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Return the drained meat to the pot. Add diced tomatoes (juice and all), spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and minced garlic.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to let those flavors meld.
3. Cook the Pasta Separately
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In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil.
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Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and cook until just al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to keep them from sticking.
🍝 Why separate pots? This keeps the noodles from turning mushy in the soup—especially great for leftovers!
4. Assemble and Serve
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Add noodles to serving bowls (as much or little as you like).
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Ladle hot soup over the top.
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Finish with a generous dollop of ricotta and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Let it melt and swirl it in, or savor each cheesy bite separately!
Tips, Variations & Serving Ideas
This recipe is flexible, forgiving, and full of potential. Here’s how to customize it:
🍅 Make It Creamier:
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Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end for a richer soup.
🧀 Cheese Options:
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Add shredded mozzarella or provolone just before serving for a stretchy cheese moment.
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Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta for a lighter topping.
🥬 Veggie Boost:
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Toss in chopped spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini with the simmering soup for extra nutrition.
❄️ Leftovers? No Problem!
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Store noodles and soup separately in the fridge to keep everything from turning to mush.
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Reheat the soup and combine with noodles right before serving.
Cozy Comfort in a Bowl
Lasagna soup is the answer to “what’s for dinner?” when you want big flavor without the big effort. Whether it’s chilly outside or you just need a little comfort food, this recipe hits the spot every time.
So tell me: How do you take your lasagna soup—extra cheesy or extra brothy? Got a secret ingredient that makes yours special? Share it in the comments!
