If you love the comforting flavors of lasagna but crave something quicker and cozier, this One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe is an absolute game changer. It perfectly captures all the hearty, cheesy, and savory goodness of classic lasagna, transformed into a warm, slurpable soup that you can make with just one pot. Rich ground beef, aromatic garlic and onions, tangy San Marzano tomatoes, and broken lasagna noodles come together with a creamy ricotta topping to create a soul-satisfying dish that’s as fun to eat as it is simple to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe plays a vital role, creating layers of deliciousness that build on one another. From fresh herbs to pantry staples, the components are straightforward yet essential for getting that authentic Italian flair and balanced flavor.
- Unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil: Adds a luscious richness and helps soften the onions and garlic for maximum flavor infusion.
- Ground beef (80% lean): Provides hearty protein and that savory base that brings the soup’s comfort factor to life.
- Diced red and yellow onions: These add sweetness and depth, working beautifully with the garlic to build an aromatic foundation.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the soup with classic Italian warmth and a little kick.
- San Marzano tomatoes (28 ounces): Known for their sweet, rich flavor, they make the tomato base rich and luxurious.
- Tomato paste: Concentrates that tomato flavor and thickens the broth.
- Fire roasted tomatoes (drained): Bring a subtle smoky note and texture contrasts that elevate the soup.
- Fresh basil leaves: Brighten the flavors with their sweet, herbaceous aroma.
- Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid backbone that ensures the soup stays light yet satisfying.
- Beef base: Adds a robust umami complexity layered beneath the tomato and herb flavors.
- Broken dried lasagna noodles: Perfect for soup-sized bites that soak up all that delicious broth.
- Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powders, crushed red peppers, oregano: A symphony of spices that bring the full Italian seasoning profile.
- Sugar (optional): Balances acidity from the tomatoes, rounding out the flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, for seasoning and balance.
- Ricotta cheese: For creamy dollops that melt beautifully into the soup.
- Heavy whipping cream: Adds silkiness to the ricotta mixture enhancing richness.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, slightly peppery bite to the creamy topping.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, cheesy perfection on top of each bowl.
- Parmesan cheese: Provides a sharp, salty finish that ties all the flavors together.
How to Make One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Soften the Onions
Start by heating unsalted butter or olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef along with diced red and yellow onions. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. This step creates the savory foundation with beautifully caramelized bits. Then add the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant, releasing those heavenly aromas that set the stage for the rest of the soup.
Step 2: Build the Flavorful Broth
Next, stir in the San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, and fire roasted tomatoes, which bring robust tomato richness and complexity. Add fresh basil leaves while pouring in the chicken broth and beef base, seasoning with Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powders, crushed red peppers, oregano, and a little sugar to tame the acidity. Stir everything well and bring to a boil. This broth becomes the heart and soul of your One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe, packed with herbaceous and hearty layers of flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Noodles in the Soup
Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles directly into the pot. Make sure they are fully submerged in the bubbling broth, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the noodles are tender but still hold a little bite. During this time, the noodles soak up all that luscious broth, making every spoonful wonderfully satisfying. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Ricotta Mixture
While the soup simmers, mix together the ricotta cheese, heavy whipping cream, and fresh parsley in a small bowl. This creamy topping adds a luscious, velvety contrast to the savory broth that mimics the cheesy layers of classic lasagna in soup form.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with shredded mozzarella, a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture, and fresh basil leaves. Finish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and get ready for an irresistible comfort food experience that tastes like lasagna in every spoonful.
How to Serve One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves are a must for bright, herbal notes, but you can also sprinkle extra parmesan or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. If you like spice, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a welcome heat. A swirl of ricotta mixed with cream always brings that extra creamy texture that makes this dish unforgettable.
Side Dishes
This soup shines as a standalone meal but pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for dunking. A fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly, while toasted focaccia completes the cozy Italian vibe on a chilly evening.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe in rustic bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and grated cheese on top for a cozy, inviting presentation. Alternatively, hollow out a small bread bowl for an edible serving vessel that doubles the deliciousness. For casual gatherings, offer make-your-own topping stations with ricotta, mozzarella, basil, and chili flakes so guests can customize their bowls.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the noodles continue to soak up broth, you might find the soup slightly thicker the next day, which makes reheating even more comforting and cozy.
Freezing
This soup can be frozen but with a slight caution: pasta tends to soften after freezing and thawing. For best results, freeze the soup without the noodles and add fresh broken noodles when reheating. This way, you keep the noodles perfectly tender without mushiness. Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the soup is too thick. Top with fresh mozzarella and ricotta after reheating to revive that creamy, cheesy goodness.
FAQs
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with hearty mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based ground meat alternative, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken and beef bases. The flavors will still shine through beautifully.
What if I don’t have San Marzano tomatoes?
San Marzano tomatoes bring a sweet and rich flavor, but you can substitute with good-quality canned plum tomatoes or crushed tomatoes. Just adjust seasoning to balance the acidity and sweetness accordingly.
Can I use fresh lasagna noodles?
Fresh lasagna noodles can be used if broken into bite-sized pieces, but since they cook much faster, add them later in the simmering process and keep a close eye to avoid overcooking and mushiness.
Is it necessary to use both chicken broth and beef base?
The chicken broth provides the volume of liquid and a lighter background, while the beef base adds a rich umami depth. You can use all beef broth or all chicken broth depending on preference, but using both balance the flavor perfectly.
How spicy is this soup?
This One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe has a mild warmth due to crushed red peppers, but it’s easy to adjust—use less for a kid-friendly version or add more chili flakes to dial up the heat.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about cozying up with a bowl of homemade soup that tastes like your favorite Italian casserole, and this One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe delivers just that. It’s easy to make, comforting to eat, and sure to become a weeknight favorite you’ll want to share again and again. Give it a try and watch it become your go-to comfort meal!
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One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This comforting One Pot Lasagna Soup captures all the flavors of classic lasagna in a hearty, easy-to-make soup. Ground beef, savory tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning are simmered with broken lasagna noodles for a quick 30-minute meal, topped with a creamy ricotta and parsley mixture and melted mozzarella for the perfect cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 cup red onions, diced
- 1 cup yellow onions, diced
- 8 tsp minced garlic (7–8 garlic cloves)
- 1 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 3 large fresh basil leaves
- 6 cups chicken broth (Better than Bouillon Chicken Base recommended)
- 1 tsp Better than Bouillon Beef Base
- 9 dried lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ricotta Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup whole mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- Additional fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a 6-quart Dutch oven or large pot, melt the butter or heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef along with diced red and yellow onions. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and onions are softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Soup Base Ingredients: Add the San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, fire roasted tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, chicken broth, beef base, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, dried oregano, sugar (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add Lasagna Noodles: Once boiling, add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot, making sure they are fully submerged in the soup.
- Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check seasoning; adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Prepare Ricotta Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, heavy whipping cream, chopped fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper (if desired). Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a spoonful of the ricotta cheese mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best taste.
Notes
- Using Better than Bouillon bases enhances the depth of beef and chicken flavors, but canned broth works as well.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the crushed red pepper amount or add a dash of hot sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use low-fat dairy options.
- The soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of broth or water when reheating to maintain desired consistency.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American