Description
This comforting Lasagna Soup combines all the rich flavors of classic lasagna in a hearty, easy-to-make soup. Ground beef, tomatoes, and broken lasagna noodles simmer in savory broth, topped off with creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese and fresh basil for a delicious, family-friendly meal ready in about an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods and Broth
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz broken lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Olive oil (amount for sautéing, about 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pot to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned meat. Sauté together until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes, which builds the flavor base for the soup.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the tomato sauce. Then pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Noodles: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering soup. Cook uncovered until the noodles are tender but not mushy, about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture and Serve: While the noodles cook, combine the ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella in a bowl. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, herbal finish.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for a spicier, more robust flavor, or ground beef for a milder taste.
- Freshly chopped basil enhances the aroma and presentation but can be substituted with dried basil if needed.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Broken lasagna noodles can be substituted with broken spaghetti or other short pasta shapes if preferred.
- To reduce cooking time, pre-cooked or no-boil lasagna noodles can be used but may alter the texture.
- Leftover soup keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days and tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
