Have you ever craved the rich, cheesy, layered goodness of a classic lasagna but shuddered at the thought of the time, effort, and mountain of dishes involved? You’re not alone. What if you could capture all that comforting, rustic flavor in a single pot, ready in under an hour? This recipe for Lasagna Soup is the game-changing answer to your weeknight dinner dreams. It deconstructs the beloved casserole into a hearty, savory soup, complete with tender pasta, a rich sausage and tomato broth, and a glorious, melty cheese topping. It’s all the comfort, with none of the fuss.
- Ingredients
- For the Hearty Soup Base
- For the Cheesy Ricotta Topping
- Timing
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Aromatics
- Step 2: Build the Savory Soup Base
- Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Step 4: Prepare the Ultimate Cheese Topping
- Step 5: Assemble Your Bowl of Lasagna Soup
- Nutritional Information
- Healthier Alternatives
- Serving Suggestions
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Storing Tips
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Q1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
- Q2. Can I make this Lasagna Soup in a slow cooker?
- Q3. Can I make this spicy?
- Q4. Is it necessary to use a mix of sweet and hot sausage?
- The Ultimate One-Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
Ingredients
For the Hearty Soup Base
| Ingredient | Amount/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Italian Sausage (sweet, hot, or a mix) | 2 pounds |
| Medium Onion, diced | 1 |
| Garlic, minced | 5 cloves |
| Low-Sodium Beef Broth | 4 cups |
| Canned Tomato Sauce | 1 (15 oz) can |
| Canned Diced Tomatoes (fire-roasted recommended) | 2 (15 oz) cans |
| Italian Seasoning | 1 tablespoon |
| Black Pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Bay Leaves | 2 |
| Lasagna Noodles | 8-10 sheets |
For the Cheesy Ricotta Topping
| Ingredient | Amount/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese | 16 oz |
| Shredded Mozzarella Cheese | 1 cup |
| Grated Parmesan Cheese | 1 cup |
| Italian Seasoning | 1 tablespoon |


Timing
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 50-55 minutes
This one-pot wonder brings all the flavor of a slow-baked lasagna to your table in under an hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Aromatics
In your largest pot or a Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, using a spoon to break it apart as it cooks. Let it develop those crispy, flavorful brown bits on the bottom of the pan—that’s where the magic starts. After about 10 minutes, spoon out any excess fat, but leave a tablespoon or two in the pot. Add the diced onions and cook until they soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until your kitchen smells absolutely incredible.
Step 2: Build the Savory Soup Base
Lower the heat to medium and pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Pro Tip: If you can find fire-roasted diced tomatoes, use them! They add a subtle smoky depth that elevates the entire soup. Add the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and bay leaves, stirring everything together. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
While the soup simmers, it’s time for the noodles. Break the dry lasagna sheets into smaller, bite-sized pieces. If you plan on serving the entire pot of soup right away, you can add the broken noodles directly to the simmering broth and cook until they are tender. For Best Results (Especially with Leftovers): Cook the noodle pieces separately in a pot of salted water according to package directions. Drain them and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. This ensures the noodles stay perfectly al dente and don’t become mushy in the leftover soup.
Step 4: Prepare the Ultimate Cheese Topping
This is the step that truly makes it taste like lasagna. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning until well combined. This glorious, cheesy mixture is what you’ll dollop onto each bowl of hot soup.
Step 5: Assemble Your Bowl of Lasagna Soup

Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If you cooked your noodles separately, add a handful to each bowl now. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the ricotta cheese mixture. Watch as it melts into the hot broth, creating creamy, cheesy swirls in every bite.
Nutritional Information
This is a hearty, satisfying comfort food meal. The nutritional information will vary based on the type of sausage and cheeses you use. It is a rich source of protein and a truly decadent and filling soup.
Healthier Alternatives
While this soup is an indulgence, you can easily make a few adjustments to lighten it up:
- Leaner Protein: Substitute the Italian pork sausage with lean Italian turkey or chicken sausage.
- Go Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and sauté a mix of diced mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers with the onions. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Add Greens: Stir in a few large handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering for a boost of nutrients.
- Lighter Cheese: Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella to reduce the fat content.
Serving Suggestions

This one-pot Lasagna Soup is a showstopper that tastes just like the classic dish.
- Garlic Bread is a Must: Serve with warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping into the rich tomato broth.
- A Simple Salad: A crisp green salad with a simple Italian vinaigrette provides a fresh, bright contrast to the hearty soup.
- Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley over the top adds a touch of freshness and color.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Browning the Sausage Properly: The crispy, caramelized bits (the “fond”) at the bottom of the pan are packed with flavor. Solution: Don’t rush this step. Let the sausage get some real color before moving on.
- Mushy Noodles: Adding noodles directly to the pot is convenient, but they will continue to soften in the leftovers. Solution: For the best texture, especially if you anticipate leftovers, cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl as you serve.
- Forgetting the Bay Leaves: They may seem like a small detail, but bay leaves add a subtle, aromatic depth that rounds out the flavor of the broth. Solution: Don’t skip them! Just remember to remove them before serving.
Storing Tips
- Refrigeration: For best results, store the soup base, cooked noodles, and cheese mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps everything fresh and prevents the noodles from getting soggy.
- Freezing: The soup base freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Do not freeze the noodles or the cheese mixture.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup base on the stovetop. Add your cooked noodles and cheese topping to the individual bowls just before serving.
Conclusion
This One-Pot Lasagna Soup delivers all the flavor and comfort of a traditional baked lasagna with a fraction of the work. It’s a hearty, cheesy, and deeply satisfying meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in. The rich, sausage-filled broth, tender pasta, and creamy ricotta topping come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience. We are confident this creative twist on a classic will become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Try it out and let us know what you think in the comments!
FAQs
Q1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! If you don’t have lasagna noodles, you can substitute them with other hearty pasta shapes like mafalda, shells, or rotini. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Q2. Can I make this Lasagna Soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Brown the sausage, onion, and garlic on the stovetop first, then transfer everything (except the noodles and cheese topping) to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Cook the noodles separately and add them with the cheese topping when you’re ready to serve.
Q3. Can I make this spicy?
Of course. The easiest way to add heat is to use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup base along with the other seasonings.
Q4. Is it necessary to use a mix of sweet and hot sausage?
Not at all. You can use all sweet or all hot Italian sausage depending on your family’s preference. The mix simply provides a nice balance of flavor and a gentle warmth.
Print
The Ultimate One-Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
All the cozy, layered flavors of classic lasagna—packed into a hearty, weeknight-friendly soup. You’ll simmer Italian sausage with tomatoes, aromatics, and broken lasagna noodles, then crown each bowl with a creamy ricotta-mozzarella-Parmesan topping that melts into silky, cheesy swirls. One pot. Under an hour. Pure comfort.
Ingredients
For the Hearty Soup Base:
-
2 pounds Italian sausage (sweet, hot, or a mix)
-
1 medium onion, diced
-
5 cloves garlic, minced
-
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
-
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
-
2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes (fire-roasted recommended)
-
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
-
1 teaspoon black pepper
-
2 bay leaves
-
8-10 sheets lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces
For the Cheesy Ricotta Topping:
-
16 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Brown the sausage & aromatics
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned (about 8–10 minutes). Spoon off excess fat, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons in the pot. Add the diced onion; cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute until fragrant. - Build the savory soup base
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, black pepper, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer; cook 15 minutes to meld flavors. - Cook the lasagna noodles
Option A (serve now): Add broken lasagna noodles directly to the simmering soup; cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente per package time.
Option B (best for leftovers): Boil noodle pieces separately in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Add to bowls when serving. - Make the ricotta topping
In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning until well combined. - Assemble & serve
Ladle hot soup into bowls. Add a handful of noodle pieces (if cooked separately). Dollop a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture on top; let it melt into the soup. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Noodle strategy: For the best leftovers, cook noodles separately and add to each bowl as you serve.
- Broth swap: Chicken or vegetable broth works in a pinch.
- Add greens: Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach during the last 2 minutes of simmering.
- Lighter option: Use turkey Italian sausage and part-skim ricotta/mozzarella.
- Make-ahead: Soup base keeps 3–4 days refrigerated. Store noodles and cheese mixture separately.
- Toppings: Fresh basil, extra Parmesan, or a pinch of red pepper flakes are great finishing touches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup, Dinner
- Method: One-Pot, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¾ cups
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1,350 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg





