Hearty Lasagna Soup: A Warming, Satisfying Bowl (Print Version)

Whip up a comforting bowl of Cozy Lasagna Soup! This one-pot wonder combines rich tomato, tender pasta, and creamy ricotta for a truly satisfying meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Meat-based

# Ingredients:

→ Building Blocks

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
03 - 1 large onion, chopped
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
06 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
07 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 4 cups beef broth

→ Flavor Foundation

09 - 2 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, more for heat)
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Toppings

14 - 1 cup ricotta cheese (full-fat)
15 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
16 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

→ Optional Add-ins

17 - 6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces
18 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First, in a big pot or Dutch oven, brown your ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Break it up with a spoon, you know the drill. Once it’s nicely browned, drain off any excess fat. Honestly, I always forget this step and end up with a greasy soup, oops! Then, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften, stirring occasionally, until it's translucent and smells sweet, about 5-7 minutes. It's the base for a truly comforting Cozy Lasagna Soup.
02 - Next, add your minced garlic to the pot and cook for just about a minute until it’s fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times, and burnt garlic is just sad. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This step, my friends, deepens the tomato flavor like you wouldn't believe. It's where the magic really starts for this Cozy Lasagna Soup.
03 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Add your Italian seasoning, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20-30 minutes. This allows all those beautiful flavors to meld together for your Cozy Lasagna Soup. The smell filling your kitchen right now? That's pure happiness!
04 - While the soup is simmering, if you're using lasagna noodles, break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. I usually aim for about 1-2 inch squares. This is where I always forget to salt the water when I'm cooking pasta separately, but for this soup, you'll add them directly to the simmering broth. Just toss them in and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Don't overcook them, or you'll have mushy noodles in your Cozy Lasagna Soup, and nobody wants that.
05 - In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix it all together until it's smooth and creamy. This is going to be your luscious, cooling topping that cuts through the richness of the soup. I sometimes add a tiny bit of fresh parsley to this mix too, for an extra pop of color, honestly.
06 - Once the noodles are cooked and the soup is piping hot, ladle generous portions into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of the creamy ricotta mixture, a sprinkle of the remaining Parmesan cheese, and a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. The contrast of the warm, savory Cozy Lasagna Soup with the cool, creamy ricotta is just everything. Enjoy your masterpiece!

# Notes:

01 - Always drain the fat from your ground meat; it makes a huge difference in the soup's texture and flavor, a lesson I learned the hard way.
02 - For firmer noodles in leftovers, cook them separately and add to individual bowls.
03 - No ricotta? Full-fat Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese can work as a creamy topping in a pinch.
04 - Serve with crusty garlic bread for the ultimate comforting meal.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or stockpot
02 - small mixing bowl
03 - ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 30-40g

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