A Deliciously Tasty Lasagna Soup Recipe
If you love lasagna, you’ll love this tasty lasagna soup. It takes about 35 minutes to prepare and contains all the flavors you get in this casserole. So, how do you prepare lasagna soup? Keep reading to learn the recipe, plus other things you should know about this soup.
Lasagna Soup Recipe
Here is a list of ingredients needed for the soup.
- Lasagna noodles: Whichever brand you prefer is fine. Break the noodles into 1-2 inch sizes.
- 1 lb. Lean ground beef: You can also use half Italian sausage and half beef for additional flavor
- Oil: Preferably avocado oil or olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves: Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for more flavor
- 1 Onion: Yellow or white works best
- Crushed tomatoes: Preferably fire-roasted tomatoes as they add some smokiness to the soup
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste: Enhances the broth’s flavor
- 2 qt. chicken broth: Homemade low sodium broth works well, but you can also use store bought
- Heavy cream: Reduces acidity while adding some creaminess to the soup
- Herbs and spices: Get 1 tsp each of dried thyme, basil, parsley, oregano, bay leaf, and salt for seasoning the soup.
- Cheeses: ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan
Cooking instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat
- Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
- Add the garlic and cook for a minute, then add the meat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook until brown, then drain excess oil.
- Add in the tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for a minute, then add the broth, spices, and bay leaf and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add in the lasagna noodles and heavy cream, and cook for about 8 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Add salt to taste.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta.
- Serve the soup and add two dollops of the cheese mixture and garnish with fresh basil.
Can I Cook the Pasta Separately?
In the recipe above, we added pasta to the soup because we plan to serve the soup immediately with zero or very few leftovers. However, when you want to make a lot of soup and have some leftovers for a couple of days, you can make the noodles separately and add them when reheating the soup. This ensures the noodles don’t become too mushy, losing their texture.
Which Other Meat Can I Use in Place of Beef or Sausages?
Ground turkey and chicken are just as good. However, Italian sausage boosts the soup’s flavor and texture, so you’ll want to use it. If you use chicken, turkey, or plain beef, then add Italian herbs to the soup. They will add some flavor to the soup.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup
- It’s delicious and tastes just like lasagna casserole.
- It’s easy to prepare as it’s a one-pot recipe that doesn’t require tedious layering. You just dump all the ingredients and let them simmer.
- The soup is well seasoned with a mixture of herbs and spices and topped with cheese.
- It’s customizable in that you can use different meats and even add vegetables if you prefer
- It’s kid-friendly
Variations for this Lasagna Soup
You don’t need to follow this recipe to a tee. You can try a few variations based on your preference, dietary needs, and what you have in the pantry. For example, according to Simply Recipes, you can use other types of pasta, such as Mafalda pasta. It looks like tiny lasagna pasta.
Also, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, omit the meat and use your vegetable of choice. This includes zucchini, yellow squash, and mushrooms. You can also replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Replace the ricotta cheese with your favorite cheese. Garnish the soup with shredded parmesan and mozzarella instead.
If you like your soup spicy, buy spicy Italian sausage and use red pepper flake seasoning. When adding the red pepper flakes, start with a small amount and build up as you go to avoid spicing the soup too much.
Lastly, instead of using crushed tomatoes, use marinara sauce. It’s already seasoned, meaning you also don’t need to add Italian seasoning.
Tips for Making Lasagna Soup
- Prepare the soup over medium heat because it allows it to simmer well and for the ingredients to infuse.
- Use a Dutch oven to make the soup as it maintains even heat.
- Add parmesan rind to the soup. According to Southern Living, Parmesan rind adds savory depth to the soup. You will discard it before serving.
Can You Make This Soup Ahead?
You can prepare this soup a day ahead. However, don’t add the noodles yet because they can get mushy. Also, don’t add the cheese. Refrigerate the soup in an airtight container. Before serving, you can boil the noodles and then add them when reheating the soup. Lasagna soup can stay in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
When reheating the soup, you may need to add some broth to ensure it reheats properly. Pour the soup into a large pot or saucepan and reheat over medium heat until it’s warm or hot to your satisfaction. You can also microwave the soup but beware that it tends to pop.
Can You Freeze Lasagna Soup?
You can freeze the lasagna soup only if it doesn’t have noodles. Freezing the noodles makes them mushy, ruining their texture. When ready to take the soup, allow it to defrost overnight in the fridge, then warm it as directed above. You can cook the noodles separately and add them to the warmed soup, then top it with your cheese mixture and garnish of choice and enjoy.
What to Serve With Lasagna Soup
Serving this soup is where the fun is at. Already, it’s a hearty meal you can enjoy by itself. But if you feel like accompanying it with another meal, here are some suggestions to consider.
- Cucumber tomato salad: A crisp and refreshing salad is a great accompaniment for this warm soup.
- Green salad: Pair the soup with a mixture of sliced mushrooms, red onion, croutons, and tomatoes for a healthy and complete meal.
- Garlic parmesan broccoli: This is an easy-to-make and delicious roasted dish to pair with your lasagna soup.
- Garlic bread: Of course, soup always goes well with any bread. Dip the bread in the soup and taste the amazing combination of flavors.
- Sauteed mushrooms with garlic butter: Mushrooms infused with garlic and butter make a delicious side for this soup.
- Sauteed green beans: This is an easy meal to prepare, adding a healthy touch to the soup.
- Baked asparagus: Pair the soup with tender, healthy vegetables for a complete dinner.