The Best Lasagna Soup (Rich, Cheesy & Ultimate Comfort Food)

If you love traditional lasagna but don’t love all the work that comes with layering it, this The Best Lasagna Soup is about to become your new favorite comfort food. It has everything you love about a classic lasagna recipe—savory ground beef, flavorful Italian sausage, a rich tomato broth, tender noodles, and plenty of melty cheese—but it’s made in one pot with far less cleanup.

Every bowl is topped with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture made with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley that melts beautifully into the hot soup. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly day, busy weeknights, or anytime you’re craving hearty Italian comfort food.

This easy lasagna soup recipe comes together in about 50 minutes and tastes even better the next day!

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Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup

• Everything you love about traditional lasagna in soup form
• Rich tomato broth loaded with flavor
• One-pot soup with less cleanup
• Ready in under an hour
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Perfect for meal prep
• Freezer friendly

If you’re searching for cozy soup recipes, this one belongs at the top of your list.

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What Makes This Lasagna Soup the Best?

The secret is layering flavor from the very beginning.

Instead of simply simmering meat in broth, this recipe builds a rich base by browning ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking tomato paste until it caramelizes, and seasoning everything with Italian herbs before adding the broth and tomatoes.

Using fire-roasted diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and Better Than Bouillon creates a deeper, richer tomato flavor than many lasagna soup recipes. Then, instead of stirring cheese directly into the soup, each bowl gets a generous scoop of a creamy ricotta mixture that melts into the broth just like the cheesy layers in traditional lasagna.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ pound ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 8 ounces lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces

Ricotta Topping

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Garnish

• Fresh basil
• Extra Parmesan cheese

Tools for this recipe

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

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Glass Measuring Cups Set

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measuring cups

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Why Use Chicken Broth Instead of Beef Broth?

While many versions use beef broth, I prefer chicken broth combined with Better Than Bouillon. It creates a lighter, more balanced broth that lets the tomatoes, sausage, herbs, and cheeses shine without becoming too heavy.

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How to Make Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Brown the Meat

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add:

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage

Cook until browned, breaking the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

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Step 2: Cook the Aromatics

Add the diced onion.

Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

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Step 3: Build the Flavor

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.

This simple step deepens the tomato flavor and gives the soup a richer base.

Add:

• Italian seasoning
• Basil
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Stir everything together until fragrant.

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Step 4: Add the Broth

Pour in:

• Chicken broth
• Better Than Bouillon
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• Crushed tomatoes

Season with salt and black pepper.

Bring everything to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

The longer simmer allows the flavors to develop into a rich tomato broth.

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Step 5: Cook the Noodles

Add the broken lasagna noodles.

Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.

Avoid overcooking so the noodles stay perfectly al dente.

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Step 6: Make the Ricotta Topping

While the soup cooks, combine in a bowl:

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley

Mix until smooth and creamy.

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Step 7: Serve

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

Top each serving with a generous scoop of the ricotta mixture.

Finish with:

• Fresh basil
• Extra Parmesan cheese

As the cheese melts into the soup, it creates that signature creamy lasagna flavor.

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Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup

Break the Noodles Small

Smaller noodle pieces are easier to eat and distribute evenly throughout the soup.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta

Cook just until tender since the noodles continue softening as they sit in the broth.

Brown the Tomato Paste

Cooking the tomato paste before adding the liquid gives the soup incredible depth of flavor.

Add the Cheese at Serving Time

Keeping the ricotta mixture separate prevents the soup from becoming grainy and gives each bowl that gooey cheese experience.

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Easy Variations

Make this soup your own by trying:

• Mild Italian sausage
• Sweet Italian sausage
• Spicy sausage
• Ground turkey
• Cottage cheese instead of ricotta
• Beef broth
• Vegetable broth
• Fresh herbs
• Balsamic vinegar
• Green pepper
• Mafalda pasta
• Miniature lasagna noodles
• Vegetarian lasagna soup with mushrooms and spinach

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What to Serve with Lasagna Soup

This hearty lasagna soup pairs perfectly with several recipes from Krystel’s Cooking:

• Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels – Warm, buttery pretzels are perfect for dipping into the rich tomato broth.
• Easy Homemade Pretzel Dogs – A fun family-friendly meal pairing, especially for kids.
• Easy Baked Cheesy Ravioli – Another comforting Italian-inspired dinner for your weekly meal plan.
• Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta – A quick and easy pasta dinner for another night.
• Easy Beef and Noodles – Cozy comfort food that the whole family will love.
• Red Roasted Potatoes – Crispy Parmesan potatoes make a delicious side dish.
• The Best Berry Cobbler – Finish dinner with a warm, fruity dessert.
• Apple Cinnamon Cobbler – A classic comfort dessert that pairs beautifully with this hearty meal.

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Storage Instructions

Store leftover lasagna soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keep in mind that the noodles will continue absorbing the broth as the soup sits.

When reheating, simply stir in a splash of chicken broth to loosen the soup.

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Can You Freeze Lasagna Soup?

Yes—but for the best texture, freeze the soup without the noodles.

Cook fresh noodles when you’re ready to serve.

Freeze the soup base in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?

Absolutely! Cottage cheese is a great substitute if that’s what you have on hand.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the meat first, then transfer everything except the noodles and cheese topping to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Stir in the noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

Yes! Brown the meat using the sauté function, add the remaining soup ingredients (except the noodles and cheese), then pressure cook for 5 minutes with a quick release. Stir in the noodles afterward using the sauté setting until tender.

What pasta works besides lasagna noodles?

Broken lasagna noodles are the most authentic, but mafalda pasta, bowtie pasta, or other short pasta shapes work well too.

Why add the ricotta mixture on top instead of mixing it into the soup?

Adding the cheese mixture to each bowl keeps it creamy and creates that classic lasagna experience, allowing it to melt beautifully into the hot broth without changing the texture of the entire pot.

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Final Thoughts

This The Best Lasagna Soup brings together everything you love about classic lasagna in an easy one-pot meal. With savory ground beef, flavorful Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, a rich tomato broth, and a creamy ricotta topping, every spoonful is packed with cozy, comforting flavor.

Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or looking for the perfect comfort food on a cold evening, this hearty lasagna soup is guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. One bowl is never enough!rn kitchens and busy lives. So, the next time you’re craving the comfort of lasagna with a twist, indulge in the heartwarming experience of Lasagna Soup—a bowlful of Italy that’s stunning, satisfying, and simply unforgettable.