Hearty & Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup: Your New Favorite Weeknight Italian Comfort Meal
Dive into a bowl of the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly satisfying One-Pot Lasagna Soup! This recipe masterfully captures all the beloved, layered flavors of a traditional Italian lasagna and transforms them into a rich, hearty, and surprisingly simple soup. Featuring a robust homemade marinara sauce, a savory combination of ground beef and sausage, and finished with dollops of creamy ricotta and sprinkles of fresh parmesan, it’s a dish that promises warmth and flavor in every spoonful.
Imagine the deep, rich taste of slow-simmered tomato sauce, the savory notes of perfectly browned meats, and the comforting texture of tender lasagna noodles – all in a single pot! This deconstructed lasagna experience is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday family meal.
Looking for more delicious Italian-inspired soups to warm your soul? Be sure to explore our other cherished recipes like Classic Pasta Fagioli with Spinach, the rustic and flavorful Zuppa Toscana, or the comforting Italian Wedding Soup.
Deconstructed Lasagna: A Modern Twist on Italian Comfort
I can almost hear my nonna (grandmother) sighing in disbelief as I talk about “deconstructing” lasagna into a one-pot soup. However, sometimes, the truth is, modern adaptations of classic Italian dishes, often dubbed “Americanized,” can be absolutely wonderful. Where would our culinary landscape be without beloved dishes like chicken parmigiana or spaghetti with meatballs? This One-Pot Lasagna Soup is a testament to how tradition can be respectfully reimagined for convenience without sacrificing flavor.
While I hold a deep appreciation for an authentic, traditional Italian lasagna—a truly special dish for big gatherings or holidays—there’s no denying the appeal of a hearty soup that delivers all those familiar, comforting flavors in a fraction of the time. This one-pot version takes approximately a quarter of the effort required for a true lasagna, making it an excellent choice for a quick and satisfying family dinner on a busy Sunday. You get all the rich, savory taste without the extensive layering, baking, and cleanup. It’s perfect when you crave that lasagna experience but don’t want a whole baking tray of it or a similarly intricate dish like Authentic Italian Baked Ziti.
This soup offers a fantastic way to enjoy the essence of lasagna – the rich meat sauce, the tender pasta, and the creamy cheese – in an approachable, less time-consuming format. It’s a delightful fusion of practicality and deliciousness, proving that sometimes, breaking down a classic can create an equally (if not more!) appealing and accessible meal.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Perfect Lasagna Soup
Crafting the perfect lasagna soup begins with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how you can make it your own:
- Ground Meat (Beef & Pork/Sausage). The combination of ground beef and ground pork (or Italian sausage) is key to the deep, savory flavor profile of this soup. The beef provides a robust base, while the pork or sausage adds richness and a hint of spice. If you opt for plain ground pork, I highly recommend seasoning it with our Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning for an authentic Italian flavor. For a vegetarian option, you can easily omit the meat or substitute it with sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
- Marinara Sauce. The marinara forms the backbone of the soup’s flavor. While your favorite high-quality jarred marinara works wonderfully for convenience, making your own offers unparalleled freshness and control over the ingredients. For an exceptional homemade version, follow The Ultimate Guide to Marinara Sauce. Homemade sauces are often less processed and contain less sodium and sugar, allowing you to fine-tune the soup’s seasoning to your preference.
- Chicken Broth. Using a low-sodium chicken broth is always my preference, as it gives you complete control over the final saltiness of your soup. You can adjust the seasoning as you go, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor. For the absolute best and most profound flavor, consider using a homemade chicken broth. Its depth will elevate the entire dish.
- Ricotta. Unlike a traditional lasagna where the ricotta is often seasoned and blended with eggs, in this soup, I find that simple, plain ricotta offers a lighter, fresher contrast to the rich, savory broth. It melts beautifully into creamy pockets, providing a delightful textural and flavor counterpoint. If you prefer a bit more zest, a pinch of salt and pepper or a touch of dried oregano can be mixed into the ricotta before serving.
- Lasagna Noodles. For this one-pot lasagna soup, it’s crucial to use dried lasagna noodles, not fresh. Dried noodles hold up better to simmering in the soup, preventing them from becoming mushy. Breaking them into smaller, bite-sized pieces ensures that each spoonful contains a perfect balance of pasta and broth. This also makes the soup easier to eat and prevents the noodles from clumping together.
*Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for precise measurements and additional information on all ingredients.
How to Make This Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup
This recipe is incredibly straightforward and forgiving, making it a fantastic addition to your family’s rotation of favorite meals. Follow these simple step-by-step directions to create a dish that’s bursting with flavor and comforting goodness!
Step 1: Sear the Meats. Begin by heating a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sausage (or seasoned ground pork). Allow the meat to sear without touching for about 3 minutes to develop a delicious crust, which creates a ‘fond’ that will enhance the soup’s flavor. Then, use a wooden spoon to break apart the meat and continue browning it evenly throughout until no pink remains.
Step 2: Drain and Set Aside. Once the meat is fully browned, carefully remove it from the pot using a slotted spoon and set it aside in a bowl. It’s important to remove any excess liquid or fat from the pot at this stage to prevent the soup from becoming greasy and ensure a clean, rich flavor base.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium and add a splash of olive oil to the pot. Add the chopped onion and sauté it until it becomes wonderfully soft and translucent, which usually takes about 8 minutes. This process also helps to deglaze the ‘fond’ from the bottom of the pot, incorporating those deep flavors into your soup base. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Add Marinara. Pour the marinara sauce into the pot with the sautéed onions and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. The rich aroma will start to fill your kitchen at this stage!
Step 5: Reintroduce Meat. Return the browned meat to the pot with the marinara sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine, ensuring that every morsel of meat is coated in the flavorful sauce. This step brings all the primary savory elements together.
Step 6: Simmer with Broth & Parmesan Rind. Pour in the chicken broth and, if you have one, add a parmesan rind. The rind is a secret ingredient that infuses the soup with incredible depth and umami as it simmers. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows all the flavors to deepen and meld.
Step 7: Break Lasagna Noodles. Place the dried lasagna noodles into a sturdy bag (like a Ziploc) and break them into smaller, irregular pieces. This part can be quite fun—let your kids help out! Breaking them ensures they cook evenly and are easy to eat in the soup.
Step 8: Cook Noodles & Finish. Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering soup and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender but still have a slight bite (al dente). Stir in fresh basil just before removing the soup from the heat. Serve this incredible soup hot, garnished generously with creamy ricotta, grated parmesan, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and herbaceousness.
This One-Pot Lasagna Soup is absolutely perfect for dipping! Pair it with crusty Italian bread or our delightful Homemade Italian Parmesan Croutons. It also reheats beautifully for leftovers. Just remember to add extra chicken broth when reheating, as the lasagna noodles will continue to absorb liquid and thicken the soup overnight. Enjoy this easy, flavorful, and wonderfully comforting meal!
Pro-Tips for the Best One-Pot Lasagna Soup
Elevate your lasagna soup from good to absolutely unforgettable with these expert tips:
- Use homemade marinara sauce. This is perhaps the most impactful tip for flavor. Homemade marinara sauce is typically less processed, contains fewer artificial ingredients, and is lower in sodium than most store-bought varieties. This gives you superior control over the overall seasoning and depth of flavor in your soup, allowing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes to shine through.
- Sear the meat without touching it at first to allow a delicious crust to form. This technique is crucial for developing “fond” – the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Fond is packed with savory flavor compounds created by the Maillard reaction. These flavorful bits will later be deglazed (scraped up) by the moisture from the sweating onions, adding incredible depth and richness to your soup base.
- Adding a parmesan rind is optional, but it truly adds a little extra, unbeatable umami and depth of flavor to the soup. As the rind simmers, it slowly releases its cheesy, savory essence into the broth, enriching the entire dish. It’s an excellent habit to save your parmesan rinds in the freezer specifically for enhancing soups, stews, and sauces.
Lasagna Soup Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version. If you want to add some heartiness, consider replacing the meat with sautéed sliced baby bella mushrooms, zucchini, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute. Ensure to still build a rich flavor base with the onions, garlic, and marinara.
While lasagna noodles give the soup its signature “lasagna” feel, you don’t strictly have to use them. The key is to use a pasta that you can break into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Other short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or even small shells would work well. It’s similar to traditional pasta e patate, where various broken pasta pieces are often used. Just be mindful of cooking times for different pasta types.
My top recommendation is always a homemade marinara because it offers the most control over the quality of ingredients, seasoning, and freshness. You can even make large batches and freeze it for convenient future use. However, if you’re reaching for a jarred option, look for brands with minimal ingredients, low sugar, and good quality tomatoes. Popular choices often include Rao’s Homemade, Carbone, or brands you’ve personally tasted and enjoyed for their authentic flavor profile.
Yes, this lasagna soup freezes wonderfully! For best results, I recommend freezing the soup before adding the lasagna noodles. Cook the soup base (meat, marinara, broth) and let it cool completely. Then, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the soup, bring it to a simmer, and then add the broken lasagna noodles to cook fresh. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy upon reheating.
What to Serve with Lasagna Soup: Perfect Pairings
This hearty One-Pot Lasagna Soup is a meal in itself, but a few complementary sides can turn it into an even more spectacular feast. Here are some ideal pairings:
- Soup and a fresh, crisp salad are always a winning combination. The bright, acidic notes of a salad cut through the richness of the soup beautifully. Serve your lasagna soup with a classic Traditional Caesar Salad or a vibrant Kale and Cannellini Bean Salad for a well-rounded meal.
- It is also perfectly designed for dipping! Pair it with your favorite grilled cheese sandwiches for an elevated soup-and-sandwich experience, like a savory Gruyere Grilled Cheese or an Eggplant Caprese Grilled Cheese. For a heartier side, a warm stromboli like Pepperoni Bread (Stromboli) or a rich Italian Sausage Bread would be absolutely divine.
More Delicious One-Pot Recipes for Easy Meals
If you loved the ease and flavor of this One-Pot Lasagna Soup, you’re in for a treat! We specialize in creating comforting and convenient one-pot meals that minimize cleanup and maximize taste. Explore some of our other fantastic one-pot creations that are perfect for any day of the week:
- Butter Chicken Soup
- Beef and Barley Soup with Mushrooms
- Creamy Potato and Onion Soup
- Italian Cabbage Recipe
We hope you love this One-Pot Lasagna Soup as much as we do! Please leave a comment and a star rating below in the recipe card to let us know what you think. Your feedback is always appreciated! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @vindelgiudice when you make this wonderful dish.
📖 Recipe
Best One-Pot Lasagna Soup
Vincent DelGiudice
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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1 Large Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork or sausage
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 parmesan rind (optional, for extra flavor)
- ½ lb dried lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 handful fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup ricotta cheese, for serving
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, for serving
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
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Bring a large Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork (or sausage) and sear without touching for 3 minutes to develop a crust. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the meat and brown it throughout. Once browned, remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Drain any excess liquid or fat from the pot, leaving a thin layer if desired.
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Lower the heat to medium and add olive oil. Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
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Pour in the marinara sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked meat back into the pot and combine well with the sauce.
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Pour in the chicken broth and add the parmesan rind (if using). Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld. Meanwhile, break the dried lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces (you can do this in a bag for easy cleanup). Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering soup and continue to simmer for 15 more minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
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Stir the fresh basil into the soup and remove it from the heat. Serve the hot soup immediately, garnished generously with creamy ricotta, grated parmesan, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use homemade marinara sauce. It is less processed and less salty, which will give you more control over the flavor of the soup.
- Sear the meat without touching it at first to allow a crust to form. This will add flavor to the soup by creating a fond on the bottom of the pot. This will later be deglazed by the sweating onions.
- Adding a parmesan rind is optional, but it adds a little extra flavor to the soup. It’s always good to save your parmesan rinds for soup.
Nutrition