Lasagna Soup - Southern Cravings (2024)

This easy lasagna soup is a warming, cozy, and comforting dish that’s great for cold weather months! The recipe features tender lasagne, Italian sausage, tomato broth, and creamy ricotta. It’s all the flavors everyone loves about traditional lasagna but served in a bowl!

This lasagna soup recipe is all about versatility. I love that I can swap ingredients around and use up whatever leftovers I have on hand. It’s so delicious, I’m even able to sneak vegetables in that slip right past the kids!

What Is Lasagna Soup?

Similar to a classic lasagna, lasagna soup is filled with many of the same ingredients and textural components. Lasagna noodles, ground meat (like Italian sausage), and three different kinds of cheese form the base of the recipe.

The main difference between the two is the sauce. Instead of a thick ragu, this deconstructed lasagna is surrounded by a rich and savory tomato-based broth. It’s perfect for chilly nights when you’re in the mood for comfort food!

The Best Pasta For Lasagna Soup

Technically speaking, any type of pasta will work for lasagna soup. However, the most typical variety is lasagne (also known as lasagna noodles). I like to break mine up into little pieces before cooking them.

Another great choice is mafalda since the shape is just like a miniature version of lasagne. Other options include rotini, farfella, and fusilli.

Ingredients For Lasagna Soup

See the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.

• Lasagna noodles (lasagne): Any brand will work for this lasagna soup recipe. Keep in mind, you will need about ten noodles broken into bite-size pieces.
• Olive oil: To sauté the onions, garlic, and sausage. If you don’t have olive oil, replace it with avocado oil, canola oil, or another mild vegetable oil.
• Onion & garlic: I recommend yellow onion and fresh garlic for this recipe, but you can use white onions and garlic powder instead.
• Italian sausage: I love the taste of mild Italian sausage, but you can go for hot Italian sausage if you prefer more spice! You can even add ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
• Oregano & basil: Both dried oregano and basil add bright, herbaceous flavors. Italian seasoning works well too. For a pop of color, garnish this soup with fresh basil.
• Tomato paste: To create a deep, rich, umami flavor in the broth.
• Canned tomatoes: Add both crushed and diced tomatoes for a more full-bodied texture. If you only have diced tomatoes, just use an equivalent amount of those.
• Beef broth: It’s best to use low-sodium beef broth since the sausage and cheese are salty as well. Although beef broth is the preferred choice, chicken broth works too.
• Salt & pepper: Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
• Parmesan rinds: While optional, simmering sauces and soups with Parmesan rinds is a common Italian practice to add layers of umami taste. Plus, it prevents wasting ingredients!
• Ricotta & Parmesan: Combine ricotta and Parmesan for a creamy topping. If you’re feeling like an extra cozy meal, add some shredded mozzarella. It will melt as it sits on the soup, creating ooey-gooey strands of cheese.

How To Make Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Cook The Lasagne

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagne and cook according to the package directions. Once done, drain the pasta and toss it with a little olive oil. Set them aside while you prepare the rest of the soup.

Step 2: Cook The Onions & Sausage

In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high. Sauté the onions until softened, which should take a few minutes.

To the same pot, add the sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sausage is browned.

Step 3: Add Seasonings

Mix in the garlic, oregano, and basil, then add the tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes, or until the color darkens.

Step 4: Simmer The Soup

Add the beef broth, canned tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Drop in the Parmesan rinds and give everything a good stir. Cover the pot and simmer on low for about 30 minutes to deepen the flavors.

Step 5: Make The Ricotta Mixture

While the soup simmers, make the ricotta mixture by stirring the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set that aside until you’re ready to serve.

Step 6: Assemble The Soup

Stir in the cooked lasagne, then divide the soup among bowls.

Add a dollop of ricotta to the center of each bowl and garnish with sliced basil. Top with additional mozzarella or freshly shredded Parmesan for good measure!

What To Serve With Lasagna Soup

Serve this lasagna soup recipe as a meal on its own, or pair it with a garden salad, French bread, garlic bread, or Caesar salad. There are so many side dishes to choose from!

Recipe Variations

• Change the protein: Try spicy Italian sausage, ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
• Switch up the seasonings: Add dried parsley, sage, thyme, or rosemary. For an easier option, use an Italian seasoning mix.
• Different cheese: Try provolone, Romano, mascarpone, or cottage cheese. You can even use cheddar cheese for another meltable option.

Tips For The Best Recipe

• Cook the pasta separately: By cooking the pasta separately, it reduces the amount of starch in the soup to prevent a gummy texture.
• Don’t fully cook the pasta: Drain the lasagna noodles with about 2-3 minutes left of cooking since they will finish cooking in the soup.
• Simmer with Parmesan rinds: Adding a Parmesan rind or two to the simmering soup seriously changes the overall flavor. Don’t skip it!
• Use a Dutch oven: Cooking the soup in a Dutch oven locks in moisture and retains heat extremely well.

What To Do With Leftovers

This lasagna soup recipe is incredibly easy to make ahead of time! All you have to do is prepare everything except the lasagne. When you’re ready to serve it, warm the soup up, cook the pasta, and add it in.

Keep the fully cooked soup in your fridge for up to 3-4 days. Pasta tends to turn a little mushy as it sits in the fridge so be prepared for that. With that said, I don’t recommend freezing this soup with lasagne in it as the texture will change too much.

More Pasta Recipes

If you’re a pasta lover like me, be sure to check out some more comforting recipes like these:

• Baked ziti
• American goulash
• Oven-baked mac and cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook the pasta in the soup?

Although you can cook the pasta in the soup, it’s best to cook it separately. The pasta absorbs liquid and adds starch to the soup, which can make it thicker than you would like.

Can you make lasagna soup in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can make this lasagna soup recipe in an Instant Pot. Add all of the ingredients to an Instant Pot, making sure pasta is at the bottom and submerged. Cook on high for 6 minutes followed by a quick release.