Lasagna: More than likely, a comfort food for many of us that just grew up with us. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and gooey cheese all meld into a meal that feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. But what if we could take that flavor and those ingredients and put them into a soup? That’s exactly what HOMEMADE LASAGNA SOUP does. This great-tasting variation on classic Italian lasagna packs all the familiar flavors of the dish into a delicious, hearty soup that is suitable for any time of the year.
This article will give you everything from ingredients to make homemade lasagna soup down to the nitty-gritty of how to make it. By the time it is all said and done, you will be more than equipped to throw together a pot of this flavorful soup that is sure to please and satisfy.
What is Lasagna Soup?
Lasagna soup combines all the hallmark elements of classic lasagna: pasta, meat, cheese, and tomato sauce—all layered into one doling pot of comfort, one after the other. This is a nice way to bring in the flavors of lasagna, but in a new form that happens to be easier and faster in the making. Imagine: a rich, tomatoey broth with crumbled lasagna noodles, flavorful ground beef, and plenty of gooey cheese—it’s a dish that tastes as comforting as it is, well, comforting.
Ingredients for Homemade Lasagna Soup
To whip up lasagna soup, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Most of them are pantry staples or easy to procure from your favorite grocer. Here’s what you should have on hand:
For the Soup Base:
Ground Meat: Traditional lasagna is usually filled with ground beef and Italian sausage. Use either or both in this soup. Ground turkey or chicken makes a nice substitute if you want to take it a bit lighter.
Onions: A medium-sized onion can be chopped finely to get deep flavors in the soup. Minced garlic will be needed to achieve that fully flavored taste. They add flavor with a little bit of texture. Dice them fine so they will cook into the soup and not be too chewy in the middle. Diced tomatoes or tomato sauce form the base of the soup and give it that lasagna flavor.
Beef Broth or Chicken Broth: This is what will make the liquid base of your soup. You may want to use low-sodium broth if you feel the need to be in charge of how much salt will be added.
Italian Seasoning: This is basically a mix of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme that gives this soup the characteristic Italian flavor.
Bay Leaves: These give the broth just a slight depth of flavor.
Lasagna Noodles: These will have to be broken into pieces so they can cook along with and mix into the soup easily.
Add Salt and Pepper: Taste as needed.
The Cheese Mixture:
Ricotta Cheese: Almost all traditional lasagnas have this added to them; it offsets and provides a lovely richness to the soup.
Mozzarella Cheese: The shredded mozzarella brings the gooey, cheesy good we all know and love from our lasagna.
Parmesan Cheese – Salty and strong; to balance the rest of the cheese, this is added in its grated form.
Cooking Equipment List
Ensure you have the following kitchen equipment before you settle down to make the actual recipe:
* A large pot, or use a Dutch oven, for the soup.
* Chopping board and knife, to cut vegetables and meat.
* A large spoon or ladle, to mix and serve.
* Measuring cups and spoons.
Step By Step Directions For Lasagna Soup Recipe
1. Preparing the Meat and Vegetables.
Put some olive oil in a big pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Let the oil warm up, then add chopped onions into the pot. Allow the onions to cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn slightly translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
Add the ground meat – beef, sausage, or your stand-in of choice – to the pot. Breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as you go, continue to cook and brown the meat until fully cooked. Drain off any extra grease.
To the pot with the sweated onions, add the chopped carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Build the Soup Base.
Add tomato sauce and the diced tomatoes. Then, beef or chicken broth. Add the Italian seasoning, bay leaves, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Stir in.
Bring the mixture to a boil then lower heat to a simmer. Now, let it cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes so everything gets enough time to meld into each other.
3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles.
While your soup base is cooking, break up the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces and add it to the pot. Return the soup to a simmer, and let cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until noodles are cooked al dente, stirring occasionally so that noodles do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
4. Prepare the Cheese Mixture.
While the soup is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Keep it aside.
5. Serve the Soup.
Once your noodles are done and your soup is ready, remember to pull the bay leaves out of the pot. Ladle the soup into bowls. Spoon in a dollop of the cheese mixture to each bowl of soup. If you really wish to get fancy, you can sprinkle extra mozzarella or Parmesan on top.
Tips for the Perfect Lasagna Soup.
Unpack the Meat: You can mix up any ground meats or even use your favorite protein; it’s completely up to you. Add More Veggies: Other vegetables can be added to the soup according to your preference. Thicken it: You can thicken it more by using less broth or letting it simmer a little longer so more of the liquid evaporates.
Taste, then make any seasoning adjustments: you may want a little more salt, pepper, or some of your favorite herbs.
Make-Ahead : Lasagna soup is great for meal prep. Prepare in advance and then refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for later.
Variations and Add-Ins
Lasagna soup can be flipped upside down in so many ways. Here are just a few ideas:
Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Use a plant-based ground meat substitute and load up with more and more vegetables. Spicy Lasagna Soup: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for some heat. Creamy Lasagna Soup: Add heavy cream or milk for richness and a creamy texture. Serving Suggestions
This Lasagna Soup is hearty, so it could definitely be a meal in and of itself, but you may want to have something to go with it. Here are a few ideas:
Garlic Bread: A slice of warm, buttery garlic bread really sets off the lasagna soup.
Salad: A fresh green salad will be a good contrast to the richness of the soup.
Crackers or Breadsticks: Scoop up this soup with your favorite crackling crackers or bread sticks for a perfect nibble. Conclusion
The Homemade Lasagna Soup is so deliciously comforting and brings all the flavors of lasagna into a new format that is very simple to bring together. It is great for any family supper or casual gathering, and it even makes great leftovers for those really crazy days. All of it comes together super quickly—super easy.
Whether you love good ol’ lasagna, or whether you experienced very little of it, this lasagna soup is going to be sure to twist all around your expectations. So grab the ingredients and follow the recipe below for a big, hearty bowl of soup that will warm your heart and your belly.