The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe
This lasagna soup recipe has everything you love about classic lasagna with savory meat, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melty cheese all in one cozy bowl.
A few years ago my husband and I had the chance to go to New York and film two episodes of Paula’s Party. It was such a fun experience. We even got to meet Carson Kressley, Cheri Oteri, Jason Priestly and a bunch of others. One of the dishes Paula made was Tastes Like Lasagna Soup and it smelled amazing. We were so disappointed we didn’t get to taste it, so when we got home we created our own version. It quickly became a favorite.
There’s just something about lasagna soup that feels like home. It’s saucy, cheesy, cozy, and truly the best kind of comfort food.
Ingredients for Lasagna Soup
This soup recipe is a cross between a creamy soup and broth soup due to the addition of a little ricotta. It’s hearty, beefy, and delicious. In other words, perfection. Here is what you will need:
- Olive Oil: For sautéing veggies
- Minced Vegetables: Diced onion (red), garlic, and bell peppers
- Fresh Herbs: Oregano, parsley, and basil
- Ground Beef: 80/20 for rich flavor
- Beef Broth: Forms the soup base
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds creaminess
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Smoky flavor with a hint of heat
- Marinara Sauce: Rao’s recommended (stock up at Costco sales!)
- Parmesan Rind: Simmer for flavor, remove before serving
- Lasagna Noodles: Use broken pieces or break up fresh ones
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melty and gooey topping
- Garlic Bread: Optional but perfect for dipping
Scroll to the end of the post to the recipe card to see all the measurements and details.
How to Make Lasagna Soup
This recipe comes together so quickly, and the steps are super easy. Here are the basic steps:
- Sauté: Cook the vegetables until tender, then stir in the herbs and seasonings.
- Brown: Add the beef, cook until browned, and drain any excess grease.
- Simmer:Stir in all remaining ingredients (except pasta and cheese) and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to all day for deeper flavor.
- Add: Drop in the pasta and cook until tender.
- Finish: Top with cheese and broil until hot, melted, and golden.
The full list of instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Notes for A Better Lasagna Soup
Carrian’s Tips:
Noodles & leftovers: Lasagna noodles soak up broth the longer they sit, so I always wait until the last 15 minutes to add them. If you’re planning to freeze the soup or make a big batch for later, keep the noodles separate and add them fresh when reheating for best texture.
All-day simmer: This soup is perfect for making in the morning and letting it bubble away on low heat. By dinnertime, the flavors are deep and rich, and your whole house will smell like an Italian kitchen.
Herb swaps: Fresh herbs are amazing, but not required. I love using Gourmet Garden tubes for convenience, or you can substitute dried herbs—just remember to use half the amount since dried are more concentrated.
Parmesan rind magic: Never throw away parmesan cheese rinds! Adding one to your soup while it simmers infuses the broth with a salty, nutty richness that you can’t get any other way. Just fish it out before serving. It’s a simple trick that elevates soups, sauces, and even stews.
Cheese pull & bread dunk: The melted, broiled cheese on top is the showstopper. Gooey, golden, and comforting. And while it might seem optional, dipping warm, crusty garlic bread into the soup makes the whole meal next-level cozy.
Variations & Substitutions
You can easily make this lasagna soup vegetarian by skipping the ground beef and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Want to switch up the protein? Try half ground beef and half Italian sausage, or use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. No regular lasagna noodles? No problem! Bow tie pasta works perfectly, and for a fun twist, try mafalda pasta, which looks like mini lasagna noodles (though it can be harder to find).
For added variety, toss in mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, or spinach cut into bite-sized pieces. Boost the flavor with spices like red pepper flakes, adding just a pinch or sprinkle to taste. Top with your favorite types of cheese for a rich, melty finish.
Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Instructions
This lasagna soup works perfectly in both the crock pot and Instant Pot.
Slow Cooker
For the slow cooker, follow the stovetop instructions through step 7, then transfer everything to the crock pot and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Add the pasta 15 minutes before serving, top with cheese, and broil in oven-safe bowls for a melty, golden finish.
Instant Pot
For the Instant Pot, follow the recipe through step 5 using sauté mode. Once cooked, continue to step 10, place the lid on, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release. Add cheese on top and replace the lid to let it melt. For broiled cheese, transfer the soup to oven-safe bowls and broil until golden.
What to Serve With This Lasagna Soup Recipe
I highly recommend serving garlic bread as a side, or any crusty bread you love. A baguette works perfectly, or try our no-knead artisan bread for an extra touch. To balance the richness, I also love a bright, fresh salad on the side. Caesar salad is a classic favorite!
Storing, Freezing and Reheating Lasagna Soup
Properly stored, lasagna soup will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
If you want to double the recipe and freeze some of it, do not add the pasta or cheese. Let the soup cool completely and freeze it in a ziploc bag or a freezer safe container. It will keep for up to 6 months.
To reheat refrigerated soup, just zap it in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop. To reheat frozen soup, let the soup thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then place it in a pan and heat until boiling. Then add the noodles and let simmer until the noodles are cooked. Top with cheese if desired.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This whole recipe can be made in one bowl, which makes prepping, cooking and cleanup such a cinch. Plus, your kids will love it too!
Speaking of cleanup, making a traditional lasagna takes all sorts of pots and pans and mountains of dishes. It really is just a mess afterward (but totally worth it because lasagna is so dang good). With this soup, you get all the same flavors without the mess.
Lasagna soup is so hearty and so comforting! It makes a great dinner for guests or to take to a neighbor. It really is loved by all, even my picky eaters!
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Watch How This Lasagna Soup is Made…
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Lasagna Soup Recipe
It tastes just like lasagna, but it's a soup! The hearty meat, the chewy pasta, the delicious tomato sauce and allllll the cheese…it's all there in this outrageous lasagna soup!
Course 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner, 50 of the Best Easy Soup Recipes for Families
Keyword beef, cheese, entree, food, lasagna, main dish, mozzarella, pasta, recipe, ricotta, soup
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour
Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 675kcal
Author Carrian Cheney
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 Cloves Garlic small, minced
- 1 Red Onion minced *see note
- 1 Bell Pepper minced
- ½ teaspoon Fresh Oregano chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh Basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 32 Ounces Beef Broth
- ½ Cup Ricotta
- 32 Ounces Marinara Sauce *Rao's is our favorite
- 14 Ounces Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1" Parmesan Rind
- 2 Cups Lasagna Noodles broken
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- Garlic Bread for dipping
In a heavy bottomed pot, over medium heat, add the olive oil until it just starts to shimmer.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Add the garlic and onion, stirring as you add it and cook for 3-5 minutes, until translucent.
4 Cloves Garlic, 1 Red Onion
Add the bell pepper, oregano, parsley and basil and season with a little salt and pepper.
1 Bell Pepper, ½ teaspoon Fresh Oregano, 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh Basil, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Stir to combine and let cook for one minute.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer raw. Drain off any grease.
1 Pound Ground Beef
I've decided it's easiest to add the ricotta in at this point as it will melt into the meat, but you'll notice I add it in the next step in the video. Either will work.
½ Cup Ricotta
Add the beef broth, marinara, diced tomatoes and parmesan rind.
32 Ounces Beef Broth, 14 Ounces Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, 32 Ounces Marinara Sauce, 1" Parmesan Rind
Let simmer all day for maximum flavor or at least 30 minutes.
The last 15 minutes add the broken lasagna noodles and cook until tender.
2 Cups Lasagna Noodles
Remove parmesan rind.
Place the soup in oven safe bowls or soup mugs and top with a little cheese. You can add another dollop of ricotta here as well if you'd like.
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
Heat the broiler to high heat and place the soup in the oven.
Once the cheese is golden and melted remove from the oven and serve with our favorite garlic bread. Garlic Bread
- You can use 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 Italian Sausage for more flavor
- You can use any onion you’d like, but I tend to use red like our bolognese sauce
- If you don’t have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute half the amount of dry herbs.
- You can freeze this soup for up to 6 months, but never with the lasagna noodles or they will absorb liquid. Cool completely and freeze in heavy duty freezer bag or in a covered freezer container.
Serving: 1g | Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1767mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1819IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 5mg
READ: The Best Lasagna Soup Recipe