Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup (Better Than Lasagna!)

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This easy one-pot lasagna soup combines ground beef, tender noodles, rich tomato broth, and creamy cheese for a comforting family dinner.

If you love homemade lasagna but don't love all the work that goes into layering and baking it, this easy one-pot lasagna soup might just become your new favorite dinner!

Made with savory ground beef, tender lasagna noodles, a rich tomato broth, and a creamy three-cheese topping, this hearty soup delivers everything you love about traditional lasagna in one comforting bowl.

And friends, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say something pretty bold: I think I might like this soup even better than homemade lasagna!

There. I said it.

Confessions of a Soup-Aholic

I'm just going to go on record here and say it: I'm a soup-aholic. I know some folks don't consider soup a proper meal, but I would strongly disagree.

In fact, soup has gotten me through some of the leanest seasons of my life. When money was tight and I needed to stretch a handful of ingredients into something that would feed my family, soup was often the answer. And more recently, as I've been recovering from surgery, soup has once again come to my rescue.

There's just something about a warm, comforting bowl of homemade soup that makes everything feel a little better.

Which brings me to this incredible lasagna soup.

I had seen a recipe for it online and thought it looked delicious, but I forgot to save it. So I decided to make my own version using ingredients I already had on hand.

And goodness gracious, am I glad I did!

I made a big Dutch oven full, enjoyed a bowl myself, and took the rest to a family from church.

I wish I'd taken more pictures because this soup deserved a full photo shoot. But sometimes you're so busy enjoying the food (and getting it ready to share) that photography takes a back seat.

One thing is certain: I'll be making this recipe again and again.

What Is Lasagna Soup?

Lasagna soup is exactly what it sounds like: all the wonderful flavors of traditional Italian-American lasagna transformed into a hearty, comforting soup.

Instead of layering pasta, meat sauce, and cheese in a baking dish, you simmer the ingredients together in one pot.

Broken lasagna noodles cook directly in the rich tomato broth, soaking up all that wonderful flavor.

Then, just before serving, you add a generous spoonful of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

As the cheese warms, it softens into the soup, creating an incredibly rich, creamy combination.

It's like getting the best bite of homemade lasagna in every spoonful!

Ingredients for Homemade Lasagna Soup

You don't need anything particularly fancy to make this recipe. In fact, one of the things I love about it is that most of the ingredients are pantry and refrigerator staples.

For the Soup

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 8 oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)

For the Creamy Cheese Topping

• ¾ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, optional

Optional Garnishes

• Additional shredded mozzarella
• Fresh basil
• Fresh parsley
• Extra Parmesan cheese

How to Make One-Pot Lasagna Soup

This soup comes together in a few simple steps. You'll need a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Place your Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks.

Drain away any excess grease.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring so it doesn't burn.

Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Broth

Pour in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth.

Add the Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.

If you're using tomato paste, stir it in now.

Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Let the Soup Simmer

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 15–20 minutes. This gives the flavors time to come together. Taste the broth and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

Step 4: Add the Lasagna Noodles

Break the oven-ready lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces. Add them directly to the simmering soup. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together.

Continue cooking for approximately 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Cooking time may vary depending on the brand and thickness of your noodles.

If the soup becomes thicker than you'd like, add a little extra beef broth or water.

Step 5: Make the Cheese Topping

While the pasta cooks, combine the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a small bowl.

Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

Don't worry if the mixture looks thick or a little lumpy. That's perfectly normal!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle the hot lasagna soup into individual bowls. Add a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture to each serving. Allow the cheese to soften for a minute or two, then gently stir some of it into the soup. The result is a wonderfully creamy, cheesy bowl of lasagna goodness!

Serve immediately while hot.

The Best Part? You Get to Choose Your Cheese!

Let's talk about ricotta cheese for a minute. I know some people aren't crazy about it. Ricotta has a slightly grainy texture, and for some folks, that's enough to turn them away from a perfectly good pan of lasagna. The same goes for cottage cheese, which is another popular lasagna ingredient.

But here's one of the things I absolutely love about this soup: You get to choose what goes on top! For my soup, I mixed ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan together, then added generous spoonfuls to my bowl. As the cheese warmed, it softened into the tomato broth, making the soup wonderfully creamy.

I honestly think that creamy addition is one of the reasons I enjoyed this soup even more than traditional lasagna! But if ricotta isn't your thing, don't let that stop you. Simply sprinkle shredded mozzarella over your hot soup and let it melt. You can add a little Parmesan, too.

If you're feeding a family, set out both options and let everyone choose. Unlike traditional lasagna, nobody has to pick around a layer of cheese they don't enjoy!

Make This Lasagna Soup Your Own

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how forgiving it is. You can make a few adjustments based on what you have in your pantry or how many people you're feeding and still end up with a delicious pot of soup.

No tomato paste? No problem!

I didn't have any on hand, so I simply used crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. The soup turned out beautifully rich and flavorful without it.

No Italian sausage? You don't need it!

Some lasagna soup recipes call for a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage. I used ground beef alone, and it was fantastic! If you enjoy Italian sausage, feel free to substitute it for part of the beef, but don't feel like you need to make a special trip to the grocery store.

Like your soup thick and hearty?

Add a little extra pasta or reduce the broth slightly. Just remember that the noodles will continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits.

Prefer a thinner, brothier soup?

Add more beef broth until you reach your favorite consistency.

Feeding a crowd?

I added extra noodles and broth because I knew I was sharing this soup with a large family from church. It stretched beautifully!

Love extra cheese?

Add another spoonful of the creamy cheese mixture or sprinkle additional mozzarella over the top. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of oven-ready noodles?

Yes! Regular lasagna noodles work well, too. Break them into smaller pieces and simmer until tender, following the cooking time on the package as a guide.

Can I make lasagna soup without ricotta cheese?

Absolutely! Simply top each bowl with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. You'll still get that wonderful cheesy lasagna flavor without the ricotta texture.

Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?

Yes. If you prefer cottage cheese, you can use it in place of the ricotta. For a smoother texture, blend it before combining it with the other cheeses.

Why did my lasagna soup get so thick?

The pasta absorbs liquid as it cooks and continues soaking up broth as the soup sits. Simply add more beef broth or water until you reach your preferred consistency.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the beef and tomato soup base ahead of time, refrigerate it, and add the noodles when you're ready to serve. The cheese mixture can also be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated separately.

Can I use Italian sausage instead of ground beef?

Certainly! You can substitute Italian sausage for some or all of the ground beef. Mild Italian sausage adds additional seasoning, while spicy Italian sausage gives the soup a little kick.

Is lasagna soup a complete meal?

I certainly think so! With protein from the beef, carbohydrates from the pasta, and a rich tomato broth, it's a filling, satisfying dinner.

And if anyone tells you soup isn't a proper meal, send them my way!'

How do I Store Leftover Lasagna Soup?

Allow leftover soup to cool slightly, then transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate promptly, within two hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Keep in mind that the lasagna noodles will continue absorbing broth as the soup sits.

When reheating, simply add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it. Reheat until thoroughly hot, reaching 165°F.

Can I Freeze Lasagna Soup?

Absolutely! For the best results, I recommend freezing the tomato and beef soup base before adding the pasta or cheese. Allow it to cool promptly, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to three months for best quality.

When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat the soup base, and cook fresh lasagna noodles directly in the hot broth. Add the cheese topping just before serving. This keeps the pasta from becoming overly soft during freezing and reheating.

Final Thoughts

I started this recipe hoping for a delicious, comforting dinner. What I ended up with was one of my favorite soups I've ever made. And that's saying something, considering how much I love soup!

The combination of savory ground beef, rich tomato broth, tender lasagna noodles, and creamy cheese is absolutely wonderful. It's everything I love about homemade lasagna, only easier to prepare and, dare I say it, even more comforting.

I made enough to share with a family from church, and there's something particularly satisfying about knowing a humble pot of soup can bring a little warmth to someone else's table.

I'll definitely be making this recipe again.

And again.

And probably again after that!

If you give this lasagna soup a try, I'd love to hear what you think. Are you team ricotta, or would you rather have extra mozzarella on top?

Happy cooking!

Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards? We are so grateful when folks share our recipes!

About the Cook

This recipe comes from Janice, the baker behind Out of the Box Baking and a regular contributor here at Backyard Texas Grill.

While Randi and Zach are the heart of Backyard Texas Grill, Janice often pops into the kitchen to share desserts, family favorites, and comforting homemade recipes. And every now and then, she trades her mixing bowls for a Dutch oven and makes something savory.

This lasagna soup is one of those recipes, and it's definitely a keeper!