Lasagna Soup

This Lasagna Soup recipe transforms the classic Italian dish into a hearty, one-pot meal. Combining the rich flavors of lasagna—savory meats, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheeses—into a comforting soup, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Ready in about 45 minutes, this dish offers all the beloved components of traditional lasagna with less effort.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 8 dried lasagna noodles (about 7 ounces), broken into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion (¼” dice)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ pound ground beef (80 to 90% lean)
  • ½ pound Italian sausage (casing removed)
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 23 ounces marinara sauce
  • 14.5 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups unsalted beef broth (or stock)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped basil

Directions

  1. Prepare the Lasagna: Break the dried lasagna noodles into approximately 1-inch wide pieces and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Sauté diced onions until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  3. Brown the Meat: Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot, breaking the meat into smaller pieces. Cook until no pink remains, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Make the Soup Base: Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Cook the Pasta: Add the broken lasagna pieces to the boiling soup. Reduce heat to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. For a thinner soup, gradually add more beef broth or water to reach desired consistency.
  6. Prepare the Cheese Topping: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, chopped parsley, and basil. This mixture can be stirred into the soup for a creamier texture or used as a topping.
  7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with dollops of the cheese mixture. Garnish with additional parsley and basil if desired.

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (1 cup):

  • Calories: 476 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g (11% DV)
  • Protein: 25 g (50% DV)
  • Fat: 28 g (43% DV)
    • Saturated Fat: 11 g (55% DV)
    • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 73 mg (24% DV)
  • Sodium: 1,553 mg (65% DV)
  • Potassium: 919 mg (26% DV)
  • Fiber: 3 g (12% DV)
  • Sugar: 7 g (8% DV)
  • Vitamin A: 805 IU (16% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 13 mg (16% DV)
  • Calcium: 264 mg (26% DV)
  • Iron: 3 mg (17% DV)

What Makes Lasagna Soup So Special?

The primary difference between Lasagna Soup and traditional lasagna is the soup’s base. While traditional lasagna is baked, Lasagna Soup is made by simmering the ingredients in a flavorful broth. The broth takes on the deep, savory flavors of the beef and sausage, creating a rich, comforting experience for anyone who tastes it. The soup is also incredibly customizable, allowing for the inclusion of different types of meat, vegetables, and seasonings, depending on personal preference.

One of the best aspects of Lasagna Soup is its ability to be made ahead of time. Like many soups, it often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Additionally, the soup can be frozen for later use, making it an excellent meal prep option. Whether you’re cooking for a family, meal prepping for the week, or just craving a cozy meal, Lasagna Soup is a versatile and satisfying choice.

A Heartwarming Comfort Food

Lasagna has always been a favorite dish for family gatherings, holidays, and cozy dinners at home. It’s a meal that is rich, flavorful, and filling, but it can also be time-consuming. By turning lasagna into a soup, you maintain all the hearty qualities of the original dish but in a more accessible format. The soup is loaded with delicious meat and vegetables, and the creamy cheese adds that familiar lasagna texture. Each spoonful of Lasagna Soup delivers a rich combination of savory and cheesy goodness, which makes it an incredibly satisfying meal.

The comfort food factor in Lasagna Soup is undeniable. Whether you’re curled up on the couch after a long day, feeding a hungry family, or hosting friends, this soup is sure to please. Its blend of flavors and textures gives you that homey feeling that comes with a traditional lasagna, but with less hassle.

How to Customize Lasagna Soup

One of the key benefits of Lasagna Soup is how easily it can be tailored to meet different tastes and dietary preferences. While the traditional version is made with ground beef and Italian sausage, you can easily switch out these proteins for alternatives such as ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based proteins like lentils or tempeh. This flexibility allows you to make a version of Lasagna Soup that aligns with your dietary needs, whether you’re looking for a lower-fat option or a vegetarian alternative.

Another area for customization is the broth. While beef broth is typically used in Lasagna Soup, you can substitute it with chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even a combination of broth and water. The richness of the soup will still shine through regardless of the broth choice, but the flavor profile may change slightly. If you prefer a spicier soup, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder to give the dish an extra kick.

For those who enjoy extra vegetables, adding ingredients like spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers is an excellent way to increase the nutritional value of the soup and add more texture. Additionally, for those who love the cheesy elements of lasagna, you can play around with different types of cheeses. While ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan are traditional, experimenting with cheeses like provolone, gouda, or even a sharp cheddar will bring new layers of flavor to your soup.

Health Benefits of Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup is not only a delicious meal but also one that can be made with health-conscious ingredients. While traditional lasagna tends to be high in calories and fat, Lasagna Soup offers an opportunity to reduce these factors by using lean meats like ground turkey or chicken, reducing the amount of cheese, or opting for low-fat dairy products.

If you’re looking to make a lighter version of Lasagna Soup, you can replace regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free noodles. Whole wheat noodles provide more fiber, which can help with digestion and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Gluten-free pasta options are also widely available for those with dietary restrictions. Additionally, incorporating more vegetables into the soup, like spinach or kale, can boost its fiber and nutrient content, making it a more well-rounded meal.

For those who want to make the soup even healthier, consider using a lower-sodium broth or adjusting the salt to suit your taste. By doing so, you can control the sodium content of the soup while still preserving its flavor. The richness of the broth, combined with the savory meat and aromatic herbs, allows for a delicious dish without relying too heavily on salt.

Lasagna Soup for Any Occasion

Lasagna Soup is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on any occasion. It’s a great option for family dinners, but it can also be a unique and flavorful dish to serve at parties. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a more formal event, Lasagna Soup can be a fun twist on a traditional favorite.

For a casual dinner, serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad to create a well-rounded meal. If you’re hosting a special event, consider serving Lasagna Soup as an appetizer or pairing it with a variety of Italian-inspired dishes. It’s an excellent option for large groups since it’s easy to scale up the recipe to accommodate more people.

The soup can also be served in individual portions, allowing each guest to enjoy their own bowl of warmth and comfort. Garnishing each serving with fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and extra flavor, making the dish both visually appealing and tasty.

Conclusion

Lasagna Soup is a flavorful, comforting, and versatile dish that brings the classic tastes of lasagna into a more convenient and easier-to-prepare format. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or simply craving a warm bowl of soup, Lasagna Soup is the perfect solution. Its rich, savory broth combined with tender pasta, hearty meats, and creamy cheese creates a satisfying meal that will leave you feeling full and content.

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