Hearty Lasagna Soup: All the Comfort of Lasagna, One Bowl at a Time

If you love lasagna but dread the layering, baking, and cleanup, let me introduce you to your new weeknight favorite: Hearty Lasagna Soup. This dish takes everything you adore about lasagna—rich meat sauce, tender noodles, gooey cheese—and transforms it into a cozy, one-pot wonder. Whether you're feeding a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something warm and satisfying, this recipe checks every box.

Welcome back to Keith’s Kitchen Chronicles, where real ingredients meet approachable, flavor-packed meals. Today’s post is all about getting that lasagna experience with none of the hassle—and trust me, your whole family will be asking for seconds.

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🍲 Why Lasagna Soup?

Lasagna has always been a classic comfort food, but let’s be real: it’s a production. From boiling noodles separately to assembling layers and waiting for the oven to do its magic, it’s not exactly “Tuesday night after work” material. That’s where lasagna soup comes in. It delivers the same depth of flavor, cheesy goodness, and hearty satisfaction—with far less prep and a whole lot more flexibility.

When you’re craving the essence of a home-cooked Italian meal without spending all day in the kitchen, this soup steps in like a hero in a red sauce cape.

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🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

This soup is rich and savory, thanks to a blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, plus aromatic veggies and a perfectly spiced tomato base. Here’s the full lineup:

Meat & Base:

½ lb lean ground beef

½ lb ground Italian sausage

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Aromatics & Seasoning:

1 yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp tomato paste

¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional but adds great kick)

2 Tbsp fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)

½ tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

Liquid & Pasta:

7 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)

9 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces

2 cups fresh spinach (optional, for color and added nutrition)

The Cheesy Finish:

10 oz ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)

1 cup shredded mozzarella

½ cup grated parmesan

Fresh basil, for garnish

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👨‍🍳 How to Make Lasagna Soup Step-by-Step

This recipe is as easy as browning meat, building flavor, and letting everything simmer to perfection.

Step 1: Brown the Meat

Start by browning the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks. Once browned, drain off the excess fat and set the meat aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook another minute or two until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Stir in tomato paste, marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, basil, and broth. Bring the pot to a simmer, then return the cooked meat to the mix.

Step 4: Add the Pasta

Break lasagna noodles into 3–4 pieces each and add them to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender (around 10–12 minutes). Stir in spinach just before serving.

Step 5: Mix the Cheese

In a small bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. This mixture will be the creamy, cheesy topping that mimics the best part of a baked lasagna.

Step 6: Serve & Garnish

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each with a generous scoop of the cheese mixture. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

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🧀 The Secret's in the Cheese

Let’s talk about that cheesy topping. While some lasagna soup recipes mix cheese directly into the pot, I prefer to serve it dolloped on top. Why?

Texture Control – You get that melty contrast without turning the entire pot into cheese sauce.

Customizable Bowls – Some folks like it extra cheesy, some prefer it lighter. This lets everyone build their perfect bowl.

Storage-Friendly – By keeping cheese separate, you avoid clumps when reheating.

And don’t skip the ricotta! It brings that creamy, lasagna-layered feel that mozzarella alone can’t deliver.

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🥬 Want to Add Veggies?

Spinach is optional, but highly recommended for a nutritional boost and fresh green pop. Other great add-ins:

Chopped zucchini or squash

Mushrooms (sautéed with onions)

Shredded carrots or bell peppers

This is a flexible dish—feel free to use what’s in your fridge.

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🍽 How to Serve It

I recommend pairing this soup with:

Crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta

A simple green salad with Italian vinaigrette

Red wine or sparkling water with lemon

It’s perfect for chilly nights, meal prep Sundays, or casual dinner parties.

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🧊 Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

This soup stores beautifully—and the flavor gets even better the next day.

To Store:

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

To Freeze:

For best results, freeze without the noodles and cheese topping. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before adding fresh-cooked noodles and cheese.

Make-Ahead Tip:

You can make the soup base (without noodles) in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. When you’re ready to serve, reheat and drop in the pasta for fresh, tender texture.

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🍝 Variations and Substitutions

This soup is easily adaptable for different dietary needs.

Vegetarian Option:

Omit the meat and double up on veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell pepper.

Vegan Option:

Omit meat and use cashew ricotta or plant-based cheese alternatives. Use olive oil and veggie broth.

Gluten-Free Option:

Swap the noodles with your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Pasta Swap:

No lasagna noodles? Try rotini, penne, or even cheese tortellini!

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🥄 Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving)

Calories: ~521

Protein: 31g

Fat: 28g

Carbs: 36g

Calcium: 276mg

Iron: 3mg

A generous 1½ cup serving makes this a hearty main dish with balanced macros and lots of flavor.

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💬 What Readers Are Saying

> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This recipe is phenomenal. I made it for a family the first time, and now it’s on repeat. Everyone loves it!” — Lainey

> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The best lasagna soup I’ve ever had. It’s rich, hearty, and freezes perfectly.” — Stacey

> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Better than lasagna. If you’re reading this—make it!” — Brittanie

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📌 Final Thoughts

Lasagna soup is a comfort food classic reimagined for real life. It’s simple, hearty, and ridiculously satisfying. And once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you ever went back to baking those layers.

Bookmark this recipe, share it with your soup-loving friends, and let me know if you try any fun variations. Tag me over on Instagram @keithskitchenchronicles so I can see your creations!

Until next time, stay warm—and stay hungry.