This hearty Lasagna Soup has everything you love about classic lasagna in an easy one-pot soup recipe. It’s loaded with Italian sausage, tomatoes, pasta, herbs, and a creamy cheese topping that melts right into the soup.
We’ve tested this recipe several times to make sure the broth stays rich and flavorful while still tasting like traditional lasagna. The combination of sausage, basil, garlic, and tomato creates that classic Italian flavor, and the cheesy ricotta mixture takes it over the top. My family loves serving this with Garlic Bread and salad for a simple dinner everyone gets excited about.
If you need more easy Italian inspired dinners, try Lasagna Roll Ups, Zuppa Toscana, Baked Spaghetti, and Chicken Alfredo.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Easy Weeknight Dinner: It’s much faster and simpler than traditional layered lasagna.
- Family Friendly: The cheesy topping and hearty pasta make this a dinner everyone loves.
- Creamy Cheese Finish: The ricotta mixture melts into the soup and creates that classic lasagna flavor.
- Perfect Texture: Cooking the noodles separately keeps them from becoming overly soft in the broth.
Lasagna Soup Ingredients
- Italian Sausage (1 pound): Adds hearty flavor and creates the rich savory base for the soup. Mild or spicy sausage both work well. Or use all sausage or make a blend with ½ sausage and ½ ground beef or ground turkey.
- Onion Powder (1 tablespoon): Adds savory onion flavor without extra prep work.
- Oregano (1 tablespoon): Gives the soup classic Italian seasoning flavor.
- Minced Garlic (4 teaspoons): Adds bold flavor that pairs perfectly with the sausage and tomatoes.
- Crushed Red Pepper (2 teaspoons): Adds a little heat and balances the richness of the soup.
- Tomato Paste (2 tablespoons): Deepens the tomato flavor and helps create a rich broth.
- Diced Roasted Tomatoes (28 ounces): Adds texture and smoky tomato flavor that makes the soup taste slow cooked.
- Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth (6 cups): Creates the soup base and keeps everything flavorful and comforting.
- Basil Leaves (½ cup): Adds fresh Italian flavor that brightens the soup.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): Balance and enhance all the flavors.
- Bowtie Pasta (16 ounces): Adds hearty texture and makes the soup filling. You can also use broken lasagna noodles if preferred.
- Extra Basil (for garnish): Adds fresh flavor and color before serving. To use dried basil you will only need about 1 tablespoon.
- Ricotta (8 ounces): Creates the creamy cheesy layer that makes the soup taste like lasagna.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (½ cup): Adds salty, rich flavor to the cheese mixture.
- Shredded Mozzarella (1 cup, for garnish): Melts into the hot soup for classic cheesy lasagna flavor.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances the cheese flavors.
- Pepper (pinch): Adds mild seasoning to the cheese mixture.
How to Make Lasagna Soup
SOUP BASE. Start off by browning the sausage in olive oil for about 6-8 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the seasonings and cook for 1 additional minute.
Then add the tomato paste and stir. Add diced tomatoes, basil, and chicken stock, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
NOODLES. While the soup is simmering, cook the noodles according to packaged directions. Once the noodles are finished cooking, strain them and add to the soup.
CHEESE MIXTURE. In a small bowl, mix all cheese ingredients. To serve, add a small dollop of the cheese mix to the bottom of your bowl and slowly add soup.
Garnish with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil if you like!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta separately to keep it from soaking up too much broth while storing leftovers.
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you want extra heat and flavor.
- Fresh basil adds the best flavor and makes the soup taste extra homemade.
- Serve with garlic bread or breadsticks for an easy restaurant-style dinner.
- Crockpot lasagna soup. Prepare the main ingredients as directed and place them in the crock pot. Cover and cook on HIGH heat for 4-5 hours and LOW heat for 7-8 hours. When there are only 25-35 minutes left, add pasta that has been cooked al dente.
- Instant pot lasagna soup. Press sauté on the Instant Pot, spray with cooking oil. Add the sausage and cook until browned about 4 to 5 minutes. Add onion powder, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the sauté mode. Add paste, tomatoes, basil, and chicken stock. Cover and press pressure cook. Cook for 15 minutes.
Lasagna Soup Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces can diced roasted tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
- ½ cup basil leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- Extra basil for garnish
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces ricotta
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella as garnish
- ¼ teaspoons salt
- pinch pepper
Instructions
- Brown sausage in olive oil for 6-8 minutes. Add onion powder, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir.
- Add diced tomatoes, basil, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.
- In a small bowl, mix all cheese ingredients.
- When noodles are done cooking, strain and add to the soup.
- To serve, add a small dollop of the cheese mix to the bottom of your bowl and slowly add soup. Garnish with mozzarella and basil.
Notes
- Cook the pasta separately to keep it from soaking up too much broth while storing leftovers.
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you want extra heat and flavor.
- Fresh basil adds the best flavor and makes the soup taste extra homemade.
- Serve with garlic bread or breadsticks for an easy restaurant-style dinner.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Be aware that pasta will continue to absorb the liquid in the soup and may take on a different texture.
Freeze the base of this soup for later. Do not freeze with the cheese mixture or pasta. Freeze the cheese and pasta in their own containers, or prepare them the night before.
More Like This
Italian Soups
Sides
Garlic Bread Recipe
20 mins
Olive Garden Breadsticks
2 hrs 27 mins
Fried Zucchini
25 mins
Bread Bowl Recipe
2 hrs 5 mins
Collections
This recipe was first published in 2016 and was updated in January 2024.
Lasagna without all the prep! Brilliant recipe!
So delicious!!!