Ultimate One-Pot Lasagna Soup: Quick, Easy, and Irresistibly Comforting

Imagine the rich, hearty flavors of your favorite lasagna, but without the layering, the baking, and the endless stack of dishes. Meet your new weeknight hero: this One-Pot Lasagna Soup! It’s everything you love about classic lasagna, transformed into a cozy, comforting bowl of soup that’s ready in under an hour. The secret? Cooking the lasagna noodles directly in the flavorful broth, infusing every bite with incredible taste and making cleanup a breeze. Made with readily available canned tomatoes, this comforting meal can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of fresh produce availability.

As the days grow shorter and the air gets crisp, there’s a natural pull towards warm, hearty meals that nourish both body and soul. While some might be thinking about diet resolutions as the holidays approach, I’m unapologetically embracing the season of comfort food. My philosophy has always been about enjoying delicious, wholesome meals – perhaps adding a vibrant side of freekeh salad or some maple-roasted chicken quarters to boost veggie intake – rather than denying myself the pure joy of a truly satisfying dish.

Forget the notion of a “glorified 6-inch cheesecake with only 100 calories” – that’s simply not my style. Instead of jumping on the diet bandwagon, I’m here to transport you directly to the comfort food express, and our first stop is this incredibly satisfying One-Pot Lasagna Soup. It’s the perfect antidote to chilly evenings and busy schedules.

The inspiration for this recipe sparked from my popular lasagna for two. While undeniably delicious and perfect for a leisurely Sunday project, the assembly and baking time made it less ideal for a hectic weeknight. That got me thinking: wouldn’t it be fantastic to wrap yourself in the comforting embrace of lasagna after a long, demanding day, without all the fuss? And so, the easy lasagna soup concept was born.

Imagine this: tender, broken lasagna noodles swimming in a rich, robust tomato broth. This isn’t just any tomato soup; it’s a deeply flavored base infused with the aromatic trinity of garlic, onion, and oregano, reminiscent of a slow-simmered pasta sauce. Then, to truly capture that authentic lasagna experience, we swirl in a generous blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, and creamy ricotta, transforming each spoonful into a luxurious, cheesy delight. It’s essentially a three-cheese lasagna in a bowl, ready to warm you from the inside out.

I’m a big advocate for soups because they offer maximum flavor with minimal effort, often coming together in under an hour – much like my delightful Ham and Cheese Soup. With this lasagna soup recipe, the process couldn’t be simpler. You’ll start by browning your ground beef, then add the remaining soup ingredients, and here’s the game-changer: the noodles cook directly in the same pot. This ingenious method not only saves you from washing an extra pot but also allows the pasta to absorb all the delicious flavors of the broth, rather than bland water. The result is a deeply integrated taste that a separate boil simply can’t achieve.

Serve this comforting bowl alongside some warm, fluffy Small Batch Dinner Rolls or a slice of crusty garlic bread for a complete, hearty dinner that’s perfect for two, or easily scaled up for a family meal.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Lasagna Soup

Crafting this easy one-pot lasagna soup requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that build layers of flavor and texture, mimicking a traditional lasagna. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Ground beef: I typically opt for 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat). The fat content adds wonderful flavor and richness to the soup base, though you can use leaner options if preferred. For a different twist, ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy) can also be a fantastic substitute, adding an extra layer of savory depth.
• Onion and garlic: These classic aromatics form the foundational flavor profile of your soup. Finely chopped onion and minced garlic sautéed until fragrant release their sweet and pungent notes, creating a delicious base that’s crucial for any good Italian-inspired dish.
• Tomato paste: A small but mighty ingredient, tomato paste is essential for thickening the soup naturally and intensifying the tomato flavor. It adds a concentrated, umami-rich depth that canned diced tomatoes alone cannot achieve, all without the need for flour or cornstarch.
• Canned tomatoes: High-quality canned diced tomatoes are the workhorse of this recipe, allowing you to enjoy the robust flavor of ripe tomatoes any time of year. Look for brands that pack their tomatoes in juice, as this contributes to the overall liquid and taste of the soup.
• Chicken broth: While you might expect beef broth with ground beef, chicken broth often provides a more balanced and flavorful liquid base compared to many boxed beef broths. Its lighter profile allows the other flavors to shine. However, if you have homemade beef broth or prefer a richer, more pronounced beef flavor, feel free to use it.
• Oregano, salt, and pepper: These essential seasonings elevate the taste of the soup. Dried oregano brings that characteristic Italian herbaceousness, while salt and freshly ground black pepper are crucial for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors. Don’t be shy to adjust them to your personal preference.
• Sugar: This is an optional but often beneficial ingredient. A pinch of granulated sugar can work wonders in balancing the acidity of canned tomatoes, especially if they taste a bit tart. It helps round out the flavors and makes the soup more harmonious.
• Lasagna noodles: The star pasta of our “lasagna in a bowl”! Standard lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces, work perfectly. You can also use oven-ready noodles, which tend to cook similarly in this liquid environment.
• Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses: No lasagna is complete without a generous helping of cheese! Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully, adding a creamy, stretchy texture, while grated Parmesan contributes a sharp, salty, and nutty depth of flavor. These two are non-negotiable for an authentic lasagna taste.
• Fresh Basil: A sprinkle of fresh basil added at the end brightens the entire dish with its sweet, peppery aroma. It provides a burst of freshness that contrasts beautifully with the rich, cooked flavors.
• Ricotta: Since ricotta cheese is almost synonymous with traditional lasagna, adding a dollop of full-fat ricotta to each serving bowl is a must. As it gently melts into the hot soup, it creates an extra layer of creaminess and a delightful tang, enhancing the overall luxurious mouthfeel.

Craving lasagna but prefer a different format? You might also love my One Pan Skillet Lasagna for another easy, cheesy meal.

Can you use oven-ready lasagna noodles in soup?

Absolutely! Because this is a soup where the noodles are cooked directly in liquid, both traditional and oven-ready lasagna noodles will perform well. The key is to cook them until they are al dente – meaning they still have a slight bite to them. Both types of noodles should take roughly the same amount of time to cook, though oven-ready noodles might absorb a little more broth due to their composition. Keep an eye on the liquid level and add more broth if the soup becomes too thick.

What if you don’t have lasagna noodles on hand at all? Don’t despair! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily substitute with other pasta shapes like rotini, bowtie (farfalle), penne, or even small shells. While it might technically no longer be “lasagna soup,” it will still be a wonderfully flavorful and satisfying Italian-inspired pasta soup. The flavors will remain true to the original, just with a different pasta shape.

How To Master One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Making this incredibly flavorful and satisfying one-pot lasagna soup is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to get you cooking:

1. Brown the ground beef: Start by heating a teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef along with the chopped onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, breaking the meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until the beef is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, and the onions have softened and become translucent. This browning step is crucial for developing deep, rich flavor in your soup. Once cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease from the pot to prevent the soup from becoming oily.

2. Build the flavorful broth: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant – be careful not to burn it. Next, add the tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, 2 cups of chicken broth (or beef broth), dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine, making sure the tomato paste is fully incorporated. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

3. Cook the noodles: Once the broth is simmering, carefully break your lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and add them directly to the pot. Stir them gently to ensure they are submerged in the liquid and don’t stick together. Cook according to package directions, usually about 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the noodles absorb too much liquid and the soup becomes too thick for your liking, don’t hesitate to add the remaining 1 cup of broth until it reaches your desired soupy consistency.

4. Finish with cheese and fresh herbs: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded mozzarella, shredded Parmesan cheese, and fresh chopped basil until the cheeses are completely melted and create a beautiful, creamy swirl throughout the soup. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you find the tomatoes are a bit too acidic, add a teaspoon of granulated sugar (or more to taste) to balance the flavors. This small addition can make a big difference in rounding out the overall taste.

5. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the hot lasagna soup into individual bowls. Before serving, spoon a dollop (about 1 tablespoon) of creamy ricotta cheese onto the center of each bowl. The residual heat from the soup will gently warm the ricotta, making it easy to stir in for an extra layer of richness and creaminess. Garnish with a little more fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan, and serve immediately. This soup is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still fantastic!

Store any leftover lasagna soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid, so you might want to add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating to thin it out to your preferred consistency.

More Comforting Soup Recipes to Explore

If you enjoyed the warmth and ease of this One-Pot Lasagna Soup, you’ll love these other comforting soup recipes perfect for any season:

• Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Cheddar Biscuits: All the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie in a rich, satisfying soup, topped with savory biscuits.
• Roasted Jalapeno Soup: A surprisingly creamy and flavorful soup with a gentle kick from roasted jalapeños, perfect for spice lovers.
• Hearty Hungarian Kohlrabi Soup (Kalarabeleves): A unique and traditional Eastern European soup featuring kohlrabi, offering a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
• Stuffed Cabbage Soup: Enjoy all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls in an easy-to-make, hearty soup format.
• Creamy Butternut Squash Soup by Fifteen Spatulas: A vibrant and velvety smooth soup that’s perfect for autumn, offering sweet and earthy notes.

First published January 15, 2018. Updated to include more tips, variations, and detailed instructions for an even better cooking experience.