Welcome, food lovers! Today, we’re diving into a bowl of ultimate comfort with our Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup. This recipe is a delightful twist on a classic, offering all the rich, savory flavors of traditional lasagna in a convenient, soul-warming soup format. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck, this soup delivers creamy goodness, hearty meat sauce, and tender pasta in every spoonful. If you’re craving Italian comfort food but short on time, this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup is your new go-to.
Key Ingredients for Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup
Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to create this comforting soup, with specific quantities and any necessary preparations:
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil: For sautéing.
- 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage or Beef: Your choice, for a rich, savory base.
- 1 Yellow Onion (medium): Finely diced.
- 3 cloves Garlic: Minced.
- 1 (28 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes: Unsalted is preferred so you can adjust seasoning.
- 1 (15 oz) can Tomato Sauce: For depth of flavor.
- 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Low sodium is best.
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano:
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil:
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a touch of heat.
- 1/2 tsp Salt: Or to taste.
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper: Or to taste.
- 6-8 Ounces Lasagna Noodles: Broken into 1-2 inch pieces.
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese: Full-fat for ultimate creaminess.
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Plus more for garnish.
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish.
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream: For an extra luxurious finish (optional, but highly recommended).
How to Make Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup
This Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup is a revelation for its simplicity, robust flavor, and incredibly satisfying texture. It delivers all the comforting richness of a baked lasagna in a fraction of the time, making it utterly delicious. The standout features include its creamy ricotta swirls and the perfect al dente pasta pieces, all simmered in a savory tomato-meat broth in just about 40 minutes.
- Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage or beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely diced yellow onion to the pot with the cooked meat. Sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine. Add the chicken or vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Once simmering, add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Stir gently to ensure the noodles are submerged and don’t stick together. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, or until the lasagna noodles are al dente. The soup will thicken as the noodles cook and release starch.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: While the soup simmers, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth. This rich ricotta mixture will be swirled into the soup just before serving, adding a burst of creamy texture and authentic lasagna flavor.
- Finish the Soup: If using, stir in the heavy cream for an extra creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over each serving. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup
You’ll adore this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup because it brilliantly captures the essence of classic lasagna without the hassle of layering and baking. The main highlight is the incredible balance: a savory, hearty meat sauce infused with Italian herbs, perfectly complemented by tender pasta and luxurious swirls of creamy ricotta. It’s a complete meal in one bowl, offering warmth and comfort that feels both indulgent and homey.
Beyond its delectable taste, this soup is a fantastic cost-saving alternative to takeout, allowing you to enjoy gourmet flavors at a fraction of the price. The rich ricotta adds a delightful creaminess and tang, while a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and parsley on top elevates every spoonful into a culinary treat. If you enjoy this, you’ll also love our One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta, which offers similar satisfying flavors with minimal cleanup. Go ahead, give this recipe a try and transform your dinner routine with this irresistible, easy-to-make masterpiece!
What to Serve Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup With
This hearty soup can stand alone, but a few complementary dishes can turn it into a truly memorable meal:
- Crusty Garlic Bread or Focaccia: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious broth.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
- Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini roasted with garlic and herbs add a healthy and flavorful side.
- A Glass of Red Wine: A medium-bodied red like Chianti or Merlot pairs wonderfully with the Italian flavors.
Top Tips for Perfecting Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup
To ensure your Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup is nothing short of spectacular, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Lasagna noodles can quickly become mushy in soup. Cook them only until al dente, as they will continue to soften slightly in the hot broth after the heat is turned off. If you plan for leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual servings to keep it from getting too soft.
- Adjust Seasoning: Start with the recommended amounts for salt and pepper, but always taste the soup before serving and adjust as needed. Different broths and tomato products vary in sodium content.
- Ricotta Quality Matters: For the creamiest, richest texture, use full-fat ricotta cheese. Avoid low-fat versions, as they can sometimes become grainy when heated.
- Spice It Up (or Down): Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference. For more heat, add a pinch more; for less, omit it entirely.
- Prevent Sticking: Stir the noodles frequently after adding them to the soup to prevent them from clumping together.
- Ingredient Substitutions:
- Meat: Ground turkey or a mix of ground pork and beef can be used instead of Italian sausage. If using plain ground meat, add extra Italian seasoning to compensate.
- Broth: Vegetable broth works beautifully for a vegetarian version (just omit the meat).
- Dairy-Free: To make this dairy-free, use a plant-based heavy cream substitute and a dairy-free ricotta alternative, though the texture and richness may vary.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To enjoy your delicious Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup for days to come, proper storage and reheating are key:
- Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles will continue to absorb liquid and expand, so the soup will thicken considerably.
- Freezing: For longer storage, this soup freezes well. Transfer cooled soup (without the ricotta mixture swirled in, if possible) to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. If you know you’re making a big batch for freezing, consider cooking the pasta only partially or completely separately, adding it when reheating, to prevent it from becoming overly soft.
- Reheating:
- From Refrigerator: Reheat individual portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You might need to add a splash of extra broth or water to thin it back to your desired consistency, as the noodles will have absorbed a lot of the liquid. If the ricotta was already mixed in, it might separate slightly but will still taste delicious.
- From Freezer: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as directed for refrigerated soup. Alternatively, reheat from frozen over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until thawed and heated through, adding liquid as needed. Re-dollop with fresh ricotta when serving.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup truly delivers on its promise: all the comforting, hearty flavors of a classic lasagna, simplified into a soul-warming bowl. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave something deeply satisfying yet surprisingly quick to prepare. The rich, savory broth, tender pasta, and creamy ricotta swirls create a symphony of textures and tastes that will make this a regular in your recipe rotation. So grab your biggest pot, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Italian comfort without all the fuss.
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- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
- Cheesy Pumpkin Stuffed Pretzel Bites
- Find more in Pinterest
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Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup FAQs
Q1: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
A1: Absolutely! Omit the ground Italian sausage or beef and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for more bulk and flavor.
Q2: What kind of lasagna noodles should I use?
A2: Regular or oven-ready lasagna noodles both work. Just break them into 1-2 inch pieces before adding them to the soup. If using oven-ready, be mindful they might cook a little faster.
Q3: Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?
A3: You can prepare the meat sauce base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the base, add the broth, and then cook the noodles. This prevents the noodles from becoming too soggy.
Q4: How can I make this soup spicier?
A4: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon or even a full teaspoon, depending on your preferred level of heat. You can also use spicy Italian sausage.
Q5: Is it possible to use different cheeses?
A5: While ricotta is key to the creamy texture, you can experiment with other cheeses. Mascarpone can offer a similar rich creaminess. For topping, feel free to use mozzarella, provolone, or a mix of Italian cheeses.
Q6: Why did my ricotta separate in the soup?
A6: If added directly to boiling soup, lower fat ricotta can sometimes curdle. It’s best to stir the ricotta with a bit of Parmesan in a separate bowl and then dollop it into individual servings of hot soup, allowing the soup’s heat to gently warm it without overcooking.