Feastical

Ditch the Layers, Keep the Love: Your New Favorite Lasagna Soup is Here!

Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! Let’s talk about those nights when you’re craving the cozy, cheesy hug of lasagna but *absolutely* don’t have time for the whole layering, baking, and dish-washing marathon. (Raise your spatula if you’ve ever lost an hour wrestling with slippery noodles!) That’s exactly why I created this soul-warming Easy Lasagna Soup – it’s everything you adore about classic lasagna, simmered up in one pot and ready in about 30 minutes flat. Imagine: savory ground beef, fragrant herbs, tender pasta swimming in a rich tomato broth, all crowned with creamy ricotta and salty Parmesan. It’s like your favorite Italian grandma hugged a weeknight dinner. No fuss, no stacks, just pure, spoonable comfort that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Grab your favorite soup pot and let’s turn “I’m too tired to cook” into “Wow, I’m a genius!” together.

Lasagna Night SOS & The Birth of a Lifesaver

This soup was born from pure, unplanned kitchen chaos. Picture it: My nephew’s birthday, pouring rain, and a beautifully assembled lasagna ready for the oven… until my dog, Biscuit (yes, really), decided the kitchen floor was a race track. *Crash.* Glass baking dish, lasagna layers, and my sanity – everywhere. With guests arriving in 45 minutes, panic set in! I stared at the saucy, beefy wreckage and had a lightbulb moment: “What if this was meant to be soup?” I tossed everything into a pot, added extra broth, broke up the noodles, and let it bubble. The result? A ridiculously delicious, slurpable miracle that had everyone raving. Now, Biscuit’s “help” is a running joke, and this soup is my go-to lifesaver for crazy nights. Sometimes the best recipes come from happy accidents (and slightly naughty pups)!

Gather Your Flavor Squad

Here’s what you’ll need for this cozy pot of magic (plus my chef-y secrets!):

• 1 tbsp olive oil – Our flavor-starter! Extra virgin adds fruitiness, but any works. Tip: Swirl it until it shimmers before adding onions!
• 1 lb ground beef – (I love ButcherBox for quality!) Chef’s Swap: Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or lentils for a veggie twist.
• ½ cup minced onion – Yellow or white for sweetness. Frozen works in a pinch!
• 2 tbsp minced garlic (about 6 cloves) – Fresh is fire! Jarred is okay, but double it for punch.
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes – Low/no sodium lets YOU control salt. San Marzano = flavor gold!
• 1 bay leaf – The quiet hero! Removed before serving, but adds earthy depth.
• 1 tsp each dried basil, parsley, oregano – The Italian trifecta! Rub them between your palms to wake up the oils.
• ½ tsp black pepper + ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) – Heat level’s your call! Flakes add a warm buzz.
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth – Chef’s Secret: Better Than Bouillon paste + water = mega flavor boost!
• 2 cups water – Helps balance richness. Need more broth? Go for it!
• 2 cups reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles (approx. 5 oz) – Reginetti looks like mini lasagna sheets! Mafalda or broken regular noodles work too.
• For Serving: ¼ cup ricotta + ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional but HIGHLY recommended) – The “cheesy magic” finish! Dollop, don’t stir!

Let’s Build Some Deliciousness! (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps for guaranteed soup success:

1. Heat & Sizzle: Grab your largest pot or Dutch oven. Heat that olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers like a summer pond. Toss in your minced onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn soft and translucent. Chef’s Tip: Don’t rush this! Sweet, soft onions = flavor foundation.
2. Brown the Beef: Crumble in the ground beef. Cook it up, breaking it into small bits with your spoon or spatula, until it’s beautifully browned and no pink remains (about 5-7 mins). Hack Alert! If there’s lots of excess fat, tilt the pot and spoon some out – keeps things flavorful but not greasy.
3. Garlic & Herb Party: Time for aroma! Stir in the garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for just 1 minute – you’ll smell the magic! Key Insight: Blooming dried herbs in fat unlocks SO much more flavor than adding them straight to liquid.
4. Liquid Gold: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and water. Plop in that bay leaf. Give it a good stir, scraping any tasty bits off the bottom of the pot. Bring it all to a lively boil. Watch the pot bubble – it’s soup therapy!
5. Pasta Power: Stir in the pasta (broken lasagna noodles or reginetti). Let it cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is perfectly tender (al dente is fine too!). Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the liquid level. Pasta absorbs a lot! Add a splash more broth or water if it gets too thick.
6. Final Flourish: Fish out and discard the bay leaf (it did its job!). Give the soup a taste. Need more salt? Pepper? A pinch of sugar to balance the tomatoes? Adjust now! Remember: The cheeses add salt later, so under-season slightly if topping generously.

Bowl Up the Comfort!

Ladle that steaming, fragrant soup into deep, cozy bowls. Now, the grand finale: Drop generous dollops of cool, creamy ricotta cheese right on top – like little flavor clouds. Follow with a snowfall of freshly grated Parmesan. For serious wow factor, add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping (garlic bread? Yes please!). The hot soup melts the cheeses just slightly, creating that iconic “lasagna” ribbon effect in every spoonful. Pure comfort!

Make It Your Own! (Fun Twists & Swaps)

This soup is your culinary canvas! Try these tasty spins:

• Meat Lover’s Dream: Swap half the beef for spicy Italian sausage. Hello, depth!
• Veggie-Packed: Add 1 cup diced zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach with the onions. Use veggie broth and lentils instead of beef for a hearty plant-based version.
• Cheesy Extravaganza: Stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella with the pasta for ultimate gooeyness. Top with extra!
• Creamy Tuscan: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk at the end for luxurious silkiness.
• Shortcut Supreme: Use a jar of your favorite marinara sauce instead of crushed tomatoes + herbs. Adjust broth if needed.

Beau’s Kitchen Chronicles

This recipe has truly evolved! The first version was purely post-Biscuit-disaster survival mode. Over time, I learned the bay leaf trick adds surprising depth, and using low-sodium broth is non-negotiable for flavor control. I also discovered that letting the soup sit for 10-15 minutes off heat before serving (lid on!) lets the flavors meld beautifully – the pasta absorbs more broth, making it even more “lasagna-like.” Funny story: Once, during a live demo, I forgot the garlic entirely! We laughed it off, added roasted garlic paste at the end, and it was still delicious. Moral? Soup is forgiving. Make it yours, embrace the happy accidents, and always keep extra cheese on hand!

Your Lasagna Soup Questions, Answered!

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Cook the soup without the pasta. Cool, store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready, reheat, bring to a simmer, add the pasta, and cook until tender. Pasta added ahead gets too mushy.

Q: My soup turned out too thick! Help?
A: No worries! Simply stir in a little extra warm broth, water, or even a splash of tomato juice until it reaches your perfect soupy consistency. Remember, it will thicken slightly as it sits.

Q: Can I freeze lasagna soup?
A: Yes, but freeze it without the pasta for best texture. Cooked pasta can become grainy when frozen and reheated. Freeze the base soup for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, then cook fresh pasta right in the hot soup.

Q: The ricotta just sinks! How do I make it pretty?
A: Great question! For picture-perfect dollops, make sure your ricotta is cold and slightly thickened (full-fat works best). Use a small spoon to gently place it on the hot soup right before serving – don’t stir! The heat will soften it slightly without making it disappear.

Easy Lasagna Soup

---

• Author: BeauCollier
• Total Time: 35 mins

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

All the comfort of classic lasagna—none of the fuss. This one-pot Lasagna Soup delivers that savory, saucy, cheesy magic in under 30 minutes. It’s rich, herby, hearty, and spoon-slurpable with dollops of creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of parmesan that melt right into the tomato broth. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew or just your craving, this dish brings the warmth of lasagna night—without the stack!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/Italian sausage)

• ½ cup minced onion

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• 28 oz crushed tomatoes

• 4 cups beef broth + 2 cups water

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tsp each dried basil, oregano, parsley

• ½ tsp black pepper + red pepper flakes (optional)

• 2 cups reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles

• Optional: ¼ cup ricotta + ¼ cup grated parmesan for topping

---

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion 3 mins.

• Add ground beef; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

• Stir in garlic and dried herbs. Sauté 1 min.

• Pour in tomatoes, broth, water, bay leaf, salt, pepper. Bring to boil.

• Add pasta. Simmer 10–12 mins, stirring, until tender.

• Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning.

• Serve hot with ricotta and parmesan dollops on top!

Notes

• Add sautéed veggies like zucchini or spinach

• Stir in mozzarella for extra cheesy vibes

• Sub lentils + veggie broth for a plant-based twist

• Freeze without pasta for easy meal prep

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Nutrition

• Calories: 340Cal Per Serving
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 24g

Nutrition & Prep Details

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6
Approx. per serving (without optional cheeses):
Calories: 340 | Fat: 14g | Carbs: 28g | Protein: 24g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 400mg

Final Thoughts

This lasagna soup is more than a time-saver—it’s a celebration of adaptability. It proves that great food doesn’t need complexity, just heart (and maybe a mischievous dog). Whether you’re a busy parent, a cooking newbie, or an Italian-food fanatic, this pot of comfort bridges the gap between craving and reality. So next time you’re eyeing that lasagna recipe but dreading the dishes, remember: Love isn’t measured in layers. It’s measured in shared bowls, laughter over spilled soup, and the courage to turn accidents into traditions. Now, go forth and simmer with confidence!