All the rich, comforting flavors of classic lasagna come together in one pot with this homemade lasagna soup. A savory tomato broth is loaded with Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, garlic, herbs, and tomatoes, then finished with a creamy ricotta and Parmesan topping.
It delivers everything you love about traditional lasagna without having to layer and bake an entire casserole, making it perfect for a cozy fall or winter dinner.
Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup
This hearty soup combines a rich tomato base with broken lasagna noodles and Italian sausage. A spoonful of creamy ricotta topping melts into the hot broth just before serving, giving every bowl that familiar lasagna flavor.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna Soup:
- 1 lb Italian sausage, mild or spicy
- 1 tbsp olive oil, if needed
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach, optional
- Fresh basil, for serving
For the Ricotta Topping:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Brown the Sausage
Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
Add the Italian sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Once fully cooked, drain any excessive fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Onion & Garlic
Add the diced onion and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
3. Build the Tomato Base
Add the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently. Allowing the tomato paste to cook briefly helps deepen its flavor.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes.
4. Simmer the Soup
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for approximately 15 minutes.
Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
5. Cook the Lasagna Noodles
Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the soup.
Continue simmering according to the pasta package directions, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Cook until the pasta is al dente.
6. Add the Spinach
If using spinach, stir it into the soup during the final 2–3 minutes of cooking. Allow it to wilt into the tomato broth.
7. Make the Ricotta Topping
While the soup finishes cooking, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Mix until creamy and well combined.
8. Assemble & Serve
Ladle the hot lasagna soup into individual bowls.
Add a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture to the center of each bowl and finish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan.
As the cheese mixture melts into the hot soup, it creates the creamy, cheesy texture you expect from traditional lasagna.
Why This Recipe Works
Browning the Italian sausage first creates a savory foundation for the soup, while briefly cooking the tomato paste helps develop a richer tomato flavor.
Cooking the lasagna noodles directly in the broth allows them to absorb the flavors of the soup while releasing some starch, which gives the broth additional body.
Instead of mixing all the cheese into the pot, adding the ricotta mixture to each individual serving provides a creamy contrast to the tomato broth and recreates the distinct layers of cheese found in traditional lasagna.
Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
- Use spicy Italian sausage if you want a little extra heat.
- Break the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces so the soup is easier to eat.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Cook the noodles until just al dente so they don't become overly soft.
- Add more broth when reheating because the pasta will continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits.
- Keep the ricotta mixture separate if you're planning to store leftovers.
- For meal prep, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual portions to prevent it from becoming too soft.
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