Description
A hearty and comforting lasagna soup that combines savory Italian sausage, rich tomato broth, tender broken lasagna noodles, and a creamy cheese topping. This one-pot meal is perfect for busy nights when you crave the classic flavors of lasagna in a quick, easy-to-make soup.
Ingredients
Meat and Oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef, or a mix)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Tomato and Broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
Pasta
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (or other short pasta)
Cheese Topping
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat if needed to avoid greasiness.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for 1 minute to intensify its flavor.
- Simmer with Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken or beef broth, bay leaf, and broken lasagna noodles. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 15–20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Season and Remove Bay Leaf: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Prepare Cheese Topping: In a small bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing well.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for added color and flavor. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra cheesy flavor, stir some of the cheese mixture directly into the soup before serving.
- Make ahead tip: Prepare the soup without adding pasta, then add pasta when reheating to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Vegetarian option: Replace sausage with lentils or plant-based ground meat for a delicious meatless version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
