One Pot Lasagna Soup
For years, homemade lasagna was reserved for weekends in our house. As much as everyone loved it, there was no denying that layering noodles, mixing cheese filling, simmering sauce, and baking everything together took time.
One rainy evening, I found myself craving all those familiar Italian flavors without spending half the afternoon in the kitchen. I browned some beef and sausage, stirred in tomatoes and herbs, broke a few lasagna noodles into a pot of bubbling broth, and hoped for the best.
Less than an hour later, dinner was on the table.
The first spoonful tasted exactly like comfort. Rich tomato broth, tender pasta, savory meat, and creamy melted cheese came together in a way that reminded us of classic lasagna—but somehow felt even cozier.
My family didn't say much during dinner.
Everyone was too busy eating.
When the bowls were empty, my husband smiled and said,
"This might actually be better than regular lasagna."
Since then, this One Pot Lasagna Soup has become one of our favorite cold-weather dinners. It's hearty enough to satisfy a hungry crowd, simple enough for weeknights, and even better the next day.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Everything cooks in one pot for easy cleanup.
- All the flavors of homemade lasagna without layering.
- Rich tomato broth loaded with Italian herbs.
- Tender lasagna noodles cook directly in the soup.
- Perfect for meal prep.
- Freezer-friendly.
- Family-approved comfort food.
- Easy enough for weeknight dinners.
- Budget-friendly ingredients.
- Delicious leftovers.
Why This Recipe Works
Ground beef and Italian sausage create an incredibly flavorful base while adding plenty of protein.
Tomato paste and pasta sauce combine to produce a rich, slow-simmered flavor in much less time.
Chicken broth keeps the soup hearty without becoming too heavy.
The broken lasagna noodles absorb the seasoned broth as they cook, giving every bite authentic lasagna flavor.
Finally, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan melt into the hot soup, creating the classic cheesy finish everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 10 lasagna noodles
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 24-ounce jar pasta sauce
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Additions
- Ricotta cheese
- Fresh mozzarella
- Freshly grated Parmesan
- Fresh basil
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Baby spinach
- Heavy cream for a creamy version
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot
- Wooden spoon
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle
- Cheese grater
Instructions
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion. Cook until the meat is completely browned and the onion becomes soft. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, sugar, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well until the tomato paste is completely incorporated.
Bring everything to a gentle boil.
Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces and stir them into the soup.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
Remove the bay leaf.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top generously with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil before serving.
Variations
- Use spicy Italian sausage for extra heat.
- Add mushrooms for deeper flavor.
- Stir in fresh spinach during the final few minutes.
- Replace beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Add heavy cream for a creamy tomato broth.
- Use gluten-free lasagna noodles if needed.
- Add white beans for extra protein and fiber.
Pro Tips
- Brown the meat well to develop deeper flavor.
- Don't overcrowd the pot while browning.
- Stir frequently after adding the noodles to prevent sticking.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- If the soup thickens after sitting, simply add more chicken broth.
- Finish each bowl with fresh basil for restaurant-quality flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
The noodles will continue absorbing broth, so expect the soup to thicken slightly.
Freezing
Freeze the soup without the noodles whenever possible for the best texture.
Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stovetop, adding freshly cooked noodles if desired.
Serving Suggestions
This comforting soup pairs wonderfully with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Homemade focaccia
- Bruschetta
- Roasted broccoli
- Italian chopped salad
- Breadsticks
- Roasted vegetables
- Caprese salad
- Garlic knots
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use oven-ready lasagna noodles?
Yes, but they cook faster, so reduce the cooking time slightly.
Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely. For the best texture, freeze before adding the noodles.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. The flavors become even richer overnight.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the meat with mushrooms or your favorite plant-based meat substitute and use vegetable broth.
Which cheese works best?
Ricotta, mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan together create the closest flavor to traditional lasagna.
Sometimes the coziest meals are also the simplest. This One Pot Lasagna Soup delivers all the rich flavors of classic homemade lasagna without the extra work of layering and baking. Whether you're feeding a hungry family, stocking your freezer with comforting meals, or looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe brings homemade Italian comfort to the table with every spoonful.
One Pot Lasagna Soup
A hearty homemade lasagna soup loaded with ground beef, Italian sausage, tender pasta, rich tomato broth, and melted cheese. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, meal prep, and comforting family meals.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 10 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 tsp minced garlic
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle
Method
- Brown the beef, sausage, and onion.
- Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add pasta sauce, broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, sugar, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add broken lasagna noodles.
- Simmer until noodles are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor. Add extra broth when reheating leftovers. Freeze without the noodles for optimal texture. This soup is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 565
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Potassium: 890mg
- Vitamin A: 22% DV
- Vitamin C: 18% DV
- Calcium: 24% DV
- Iron: 22% DV
