Creamy Lasagna Soup Recipe

Lasagna is a beloved classic in many households. The layers of pasta, gooey cheese, and rich sauce never fail to impress at the dinner table. But what if you could enjoy all of those comforting, hearty flavors in a completely new, simpler form? Enter the Creamy Lasagna Soup. This twist on the traditional lasagna is perfect for anyone who loves the savory goodness of lasagna but doesn’t want to deal with all the layers, oven time, or mess.

Imagine a thick, creamy soup that incorporates all the familiar ingredients of lasagna – ground meat, tomatoes, herbs, cheese, and pasta – in a much more cozy, soup-like fashion. This dish is perfect for cold weather, busy weeknights, or just when you’re craving comfort food with a little less effort. It’s hearty, satisfying, and, best of all, it’s ready in under an hour.

Now, let’s dive into the recipe. Whether you’re making this for your family or friends, this creamy lasagna soup is bound to become a favorite!

This Creamy Lasagna Soup is everything you love about lasagna, with all the warmth and comfort of a soup. What’s even better? It’s super easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and less than an hour of cook time, you’ll have a meal that’s both indulgent and delicious.

Here’s how to make this hearty, creamy soup:

Ingredients Needed

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to bring this creamy lasagna soup to life:

Olive Oil – A little bit of olive oil will help sauté the onions and garlic, giving the soup a rich base.
Ground Beef or Italian Sausage – The choice is yours. Ground beef will give a milder flavor, while Italian sausage will add a little more spice and zest.
Onion – Yellow or white onions work best for this recipe. They provide a savory depth to the flavor.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is the way to go. It brings an aromatic punch that pairs wonderfully with the rest of the ingredients.
Crushed Tomatoes – These provide the tomato base for the soup. They’re perfect for a smooth, rich texture.
Tomato Sauce – Along with crushed tomatoes, this adds to the depth of flavor and gives the soup a slightly thicker consistency.
Chicken Broth – Use low-sodium chicken broth for a balanced, savory flavor without overwhelming the soup with salt.
Heavy Cream – This is what gives the soup its creamy characteristic, making it feel luxurious and comforting.
Lasagna Noodles – Break them up into small pieces so they cook up in the soup and add texture without overpowering it.
Ricotta Cheese – This is the signature cheese in lasagna, and it’ll give the soup a bit of that familiar flavor you love.
Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded mozzarella adds that melty, stretchy cheese goodness that pulls everything together.
Parmesan Cheese – For a sharp, nutty contrast to the mozzarella and ricotta.
Italian Seasoning – A blend of herbs that include oregano, basil, and thyme; these herbs are the backbone of Italian flavors.
Salt and Pepper – To taste.

Cooking Instructions

Ready to get started? Here’s how you make the Creamy Lasagna Soup step by step:

Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Once cooked, remove any excess grease.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot with the browned meat. Stir and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the onions become soft and translucent.
Add Tomatoes & Broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir everything together to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Cook the Noodles: Add the broken-up lasagna noodles to the pot. Stir occasionally and let the noodles cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. You may need to add a little extra broth or water if the soup becomes too thick as the noodles cook.
Create the Creamy Base: Once the noodles are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Mix until everything is melted and the soup becomes creamy and smooth.
Season to Taste: Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the creamy soup into bowls and serve immediately, garnishing with extra mozzarella or Parmesan if desired.

Ingredient Insights

Every ingredient in this Creamy Lasagna Soup plays a key role in creating its comforting, rich flavor. Here are a few insights into some of the more critical components:

Heavy Cream: The key to the creamy aspect of this soup. It adds richness and helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half, but the soup may not be as velvety.
Ricotta Cheese: Often used in traditional lasagna, ricotta provides a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It also helps thicken the soup and gives it a luxurious mouthfeel. If you don’t have ricotta, you could swap in cottage cheese, but the texture will be a bit different.
Italian Sausage: Choosing sausage over plain ground beef can infuse the soup with additional flavors. The fennel and herbs in the sausage are especially great if you want to elevate the dish with a bit more complexity.
Lasagna Noodles: Breaking the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces allows them to absorb the broth and flavor while maintaining the familiar lasagna texture. Don’t worry about making them perfectly uniform – a rustic, torn look is part of the charm!

Expert Tips

Make Ahead: This soup is great for meal prep. It stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and actually tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld. Just keep the cheese separate and add it in right before serving.
Add Veggies: Want to add a bit more color and nutrition? Try adding spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini when you sauté the onions and garlic. It’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies without compromising the flavor.
To Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes when you sauté the onions and garlic, or use spicy Italian sausage in place of the regular kind.
Cheese Lovers, Rejoice: For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some extra mozzarella and Parmesan on top when serving, and even broil the bowls for a minute or two for a crispy, golden cheese topping.

Recipe Variations

This creamy lasagna soup is quite versatile. You can make it your own with these tasty variations:

Vegetarian Version: Replace the meat with a combination of mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian-friendly option. This will still give you that savory flavor, but with a different texture.
Low-Carb Option: Skip the lasagna noodles and replace them with spiralized zucchini or shirataki noodles for a low-carb twist. You could also serve the soup over cauliflower rice for a hearty, low-carb alternative.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or any other type of gluten-free pasta you prefer. Just keep an eye on the cooking times, as they can vary depending on the pasta.

Final Words

This Creamy Lasagna Soup brings all the best parts of lasagna-cheese, sauce, savory meat, and pasta-into one bowl, while making it easier, quicker, and just as delicious. The creamy broth will warm you up from the inside out, and it’s so satisfying that you won’t even miss the traditional lasagna layers.

Creamy Lasagna Soup Recipe