There’s something so comforting about a warm, hearty bowl of soup that reminds me of Sunday dinner with family. This Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe is like a cozy hug in a bowl—full of Italian sausage, rich tomato broth, and tender lasagna noodles, all topped with a dreamy cheesy blend that brings those classic lasagna vibes without the fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I fell in love with this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe the first time I made it on a chilly evening. It’s such a simple way to get all the flavors of lasagna without the layered baking process—and it literally fills your kitchen with that trademark Italian aroma.
- Comfort in a bowl: All the rich, savory flavors of traditional lasagna soup in a quicker, easier form.
- Family friendly: It’s a soup that even picky eaters warm up to—bonus points for being versatile with pasta shapes.
- Cheesy goodness: That creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan topping? Pure magic.
- One-pot wonder: Less cleanup, more time to enjoy dinner—and it makes a great batch to feed a crowd or meal prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe complements each other to build layers of flavor and hearty texture. Choosing quality Italian sausage and ripe tomatoes really makes a difference, and having the right cheese blend pulls everything together perfectly.
- Ground Italian sausage: Adds bold, spicy flavors and richness that make the soup hearty and satisfying.
- White onion: Gives a sweet, aromatic base when sautéed until translucent.
- Minced garlic: Brings that warm, fragrant punch quintessential to Italian cooking.
- Beef broth: Creates a deep, savory foundation for the tomato base.
- Tomato sauce: Smooth and thick, it carries the tomato flavor throughout the soup.
- Diced tomatoes: Offer freshness and a bit of texture to the broth.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that ties the components together with classic Italian notes.
- Black pepper: For just the right touch of heat and complexity.
- Bay leaves: Adds subtle earthy and herbal undertones as the soup simmers.
- Lasagna pasta: Broken into bite-size pieces, it mimics the layers of lasagna in a delicate, easy-to-eat form.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, the base for the cheese topping that softens the soup’s acidity.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to provide gooey, stringy goodness in every spoonful.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharpness and a savory depth to the topping blend.
Make It Your Way
What I love most is how easy it is to adjust this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe to suit what you have on hand or your particular taste preferences. Feel free to get creative with the pasta type and add-ins!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap Italian sausage for ground turkey or beef for a leaner feel—both give great flavor but with less fat.
- Dairy-free option: Try coconut or cashew-based ricotta and skip the mozzarella for an allergy-friendly twist.
- Extra veggies: Adding chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms amps up the nutrition and texture beautifully.
- Mild or spicy: Adjust the seasoning or add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want it a little kickier.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the sausage and soften the onion
Start by heating your pot over medium-high heat and adding the ground Italian sausage. Break it into small pieces with your spoon or spatula—take your time here to get that lovely browned flavor developed, this usually takes about 8–10 minutes. Once browned, drain off the excess grease so the soup isn’t too oily. Pop the pot back on heat and toss in your diced onion. Cook it for 5–7 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft. This builds a flavorful base, so don’t rush it! Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until you smell that garlic aroma—the sign that you’re on the right track.
Step 2: Build the flavorful broth
Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes directly into the pot. Add the Italian seasoning, freshly cracked black pepper, and bay leaves. Give it all a good stir to combine—this is the heart of your soup’s rich flavor. Crank the heat up to high and bring everything to a gentle simmer. As it starts bubbling, reduce it down to medium-low to let the flavors marry while it simmers for about 15 to 20 minutes. I like to stir a few times to make sure nothing sticks and everything blends perfectly.
Step 3: Add the pasta and cook till al dente
While the broth simmers, break your lasagna noodles into 1-2 inch pieces—they fit nicely into a spoon this way and cook evenly. Stir the noodles into the simmering soup and cook for another 12–15 minutes. I always taste a noodle towards the end—the perfect al dente bite is tender but still slightly firm in the center. Don’t forget to fish out and discard the bay leaves before serving; they add great flavor but aren’t tasty to bite into.
Step 4: Mix up the cheesy topping
While your noodles get tender, whisk together the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. This cheesy topping is what makes each spoonful feel like lasagna without the fuss of layering or baking. When your soup is ready, ladle it into bowls and dollop a generous spoonful of this delicious cheese mixture on top—watch it melt slightly into the warm soup, elevating it to pure comfort food heaven.
Top Tip
After making this soup multiple times, I’ve learned a few handy tips that make a big difference in the final dish. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cook, these tricks will help you nail this Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe every time.
- Drain the sausage well: I used to skip draining and found the soup too greasy—once I started draining the fat, the flavors were much cleaner and brighter.
- Don’t overcook the noodles: Cooking the pasta just till al dente ensures it doesn’t turn mushy if you reheat leftovers.
- Cheese blend magic: Mixing mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta adds layers of creamy, sharp, and melty textures—don’t skimp here!
- Add broth as needed: The noodles soak up liquid, so keep extra broth on hand to adjust the consistency to your liking.
How to Serve Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about simple garnishes that enhance the flavors without stealing the show. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley adds a lovely herby brightness, while a few crushed red pepper flakes can add a little heat for those who like a kick. Sometimes I top with an extra grating of Parmesan or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil to make it feel a bit special.
Side Dishes
I usually keep sides light since the soup is hearty. A crisp Caesar salad or a couple of warm garlic breadsticks make the perfect partners. If you want more veggies, roasted asparagus or a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette complements the soup nicely without overpowering it.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve the soup in little bread bowls—yes, it’s a bit of work, but so fun and impressive! Another festive touch I’ve tried is layering the cheese topping under a broiler for a minute or two in individual oven-safe bowls to get it golden and bubbly before serving. It’s lasagna soup with a fancy twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover lasagna soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I like to cool it slightly before storing so it doesn’t steam inside the container. The noodles absorb a lot of the broth overnight, so it’s good to give it a quick stir and add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes well, but since the noodles soften with freezing, I recommend freezing the soup base and sausage mixture separately from the noodles (if possible). Otherwise, freezing the whole soup means it’s best eaten within 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.
Reheating
For reheating, stovetop is my go-to to prevent overcooking—just warm the soup on medium-low, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or water if it seems too thick. Microwave works in a pinch but watch the time to avoid tough noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Swap the Italian sausage for a plant-based ground meat or sautéed mushrooms and add vegetable broth instead of beef broth. The flavors will change a bit, but it’s still tasty and comforting.
You can use any bite-sized pasta like penne, bow tie (farfalle), or rigatoni. Just keep an eye on cooking times since smaller pasta usually cooks faster.
From start to finish, it usually takes about 50 minutes, including prep and cooking time. Most of that is simmering to develop flavor—perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Yes! The cheese mixture can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge covered tightly. Give it a quick stir before serving to freshen it up.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe has become my go-to comfort food when I want those classic Italian flavors without the fuss of lasagna’s layers and oven time. It’s flexible, filling, and makes a big pot perfect for sharing or meal prepping. I promise once you try it, it’ll be a regular in your rotation too—just like a good friend dropping by with warm hugs and cheesy smiles.
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Homemade Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Hearty and comforting Homemade Lasagna Soup combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and Italian spices with tender lasagna pasta and a creamy cheese topping making it a perfect warm meal for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Soup
- 2 pounds ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 5 teaspoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ pound lasagna pasta, broken into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
Cheese Topping
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds ground Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease, then return the pot to medium-high heat.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 7 minutes. Stir in 5 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 can tomato sauce, and 2 cans diced tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 bay leaves. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer over high heat.
- Simmer the soup: Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and let the soup gently simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Cook the pasta: Break lasagna pasta into 1 to 2 inch pieces and stir them into the soup. Cook for 15 minutes until pasta is al dente. Remove the pot from heat and discard bay leaves.
- Prepare cheese topping: While pasta cooks, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If pasta absorbs too much liquid, add additional beef broth as needed to reach desired consistency.
- You can substitute lasagna pasta with bow tie, penne, or other bite-size pasta shapes if preferred.
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey Italian sausage instead of pork sausage.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; add a splash of broth when reheating if it thickens too much.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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