Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup

The rich aroma of tomatoes and herbs simmers alongside tender pasta and savory ground beef, promising a comforting spoonful with every bite of this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup. This delightful twist on traditional lasagna delivers all the classic flavors you love about the Italian favorite, but in a convenient, soul-warming bowl that comes together in a fraction of the time. Perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals, this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup transforms a time-consuming casserole into a quick, one-pot wonder. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of hearty ingredients, creamy textures, and authentic lasagna flavors in a simplified, spoonable form that the whole family will request again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup is about to become your new favorite comfort food for so many good reasons. First, you get all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna without the hours of preparation and multiple dishes. The velvety tomato broth creates the perfect base for tender pasta, while the creamy ricotta mixture swirled in at the end provides that signature lasagna texture contrast that makes each spoonful exciting.

The marriage of melted cheese, hearty meat, and al dente pasta creates a satisfying meal that feels indulgent while being surprisingly simple to prepare. You’ll appreciate how the broken lasagna noodles capture the rich sauce in their ruffled edges, ensuring flavor in every bite.

What truly sets this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup apart is its versatility. It’s elegant enough for entertaining yet comforting enough for a casual family dinner. Plus, you can prepare it in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when you crave homemade comfort food but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Ingredients

For this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup, you’ll need:

• 1 pound (454g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup/160g)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon/9g)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (16g) Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 can (6oz/170g) tomato paste
• 1 can (28oz/794g) crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups (1.4L) chicken broth
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (about 8oz/227g)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream

For the ricotta cheese mixture:
• 1 cup (246g) ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (113g) shredded mozzarella, plus more for topping
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish

The crushed tomatoes provide the authentic lasagna flavor base, while the combination of three cheeses creates that signature creamy, rich texture that makes traditional lasagna so irresistible.

Pro Tips

Use Quality Ingredients: The simplicity of this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup means each ingredient shines. Opt for San Marzano tomatoes if available—their natural sweetness and low acidity make a significant difference in the broth’s depth. For cheeses, freshly grated Parmesan will melt more smoothly than pre-packaged varieties, creating that perfect creamy texture.

Perfect Pasta Technique: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering broth just 8-10 minutes before serving. This prevents them from becoming overly soft and allows you to achieve that ideal al dente texture. If you plan to have leftovers, consider cooking and storing the pasta separately to prevent it from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy when reheated.

Create Layers of Flavor: Just like traditional lasagna, this soup benefits from building flavors systematically. Brown the meat thoroughly before adding aromatics, allowing it to develop a slightly caramelized exterior. Then, let the tomato paste cook for 1-2 minutes until it darkens slightly before adding liquids—this simple step caramelizes the sugars in the paste, adding remarkable depth to your Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup that mimics the long-simmered taste of traditional lasagna.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Brown the meat until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. The caramelization on the meat adds depth to your Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup, so don’t rush this step!

Step 2: Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned meat and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Your kitchen should already be filling with the mouthwatering aroma of classic lasagna!

Step 3: Add the tomato paste and stir constantly for about 2 minutes, allowing it to coat the meat mixture and slightly darken. This develops a richer tomato flavor that gives your Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup its authentic taste.

Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the cheese mixture by combining ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, black pepper, salt, and chopped basil in a medium bowl. Stir until well combined and set aside.

Step 6: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering soup. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. Stir in the heavy cream during the last 2 minutes of cooking, creating that signature creamy texture that makes this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup so comforting.

Step 7: Once pasta is tender, remove the pot from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. To serve, ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each with a generous dollop of the reserved cheese mixture, allowing it to melt slightly into the soup. Sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese and fresh basil for a restaurant-quality presentation.

Variations

Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Transform this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup into a vegetarian delight by swapping the ground beef for 2 cups of chopped mushrooms and 1 diced zucchini. Sauté these vegetables until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown. Add 1 cup of baby spinach in the final 2 minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain the vegetarian integrity. This variation still delivers the hearty, comforting experience of the original but is perfect for meatless Monday or vegetarian guests.

Spicy Sausage Variation: For a zestier take on this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup, replace the ground beef with Italian sausage (sweet or hot, depending on your heat preference). Remove the sausage from its casing and brown it as you would the beef. Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for an elevated flavor profile that adds a delightful kick to every spoonful. This variation pairs particularly well with a slice of garlic bread for sopping up the flavorful broth.

Storage and Serving

Store leftover Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the cheese mixture separate from the soup base until ready to serve again. When reheating, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened too much during storage.

For serving, pair this hearty Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup with garlic bread or a crusty Italian loaf to soak up every last drop of the flavorful broth. A simple side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar provides a fresh contrast to the rich soup. For a complete Italian-inspired meal, offer small bowls of olives and roasted red peppers as appetizers.

This soup makes an excellent make-ahead meal for busy weeknights—prepare the base through Step 4, refrigerate, then simply finish with pasta and cream when you’re ready to serve. For entertaining, serve the soup in shallow bowls with the cheese mixture dramatically swirled on top and a sprinkle of micro greens for an elegant presentation.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup for a slow cooker. Brown the meat, onions, and garlic as directed, then transfer to a slow cooker along with remaining ingredients except pasta, cream, and cheese mixture. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add broken lasagna noodles during the final 30 minutes and stir in cream just before serving.

Can I use different pasta shapes instead of lasagna noodles?
Absolutely! While broken lasagna noodles provide the most authentic experience, you can substitute bow ties, rotini, or even regular egg noodles in this Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup. Adjust cooking time according to the pasta package directions.

How can I make this soup gluten-free?
Simply substitute the regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free lasagna noodles or your favorite gluten-free pasta shape. Double-check that your broth and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, but for best results, freeze only the soup base without the pasta, cream, or cheese mixture. When ready to enjoy, thaw completely, reheat, and add freshly cooked pasta and the remaining ingredients.

Is there a lighter version of this recipe?
You can create a lighter Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup by using ground turkey instead of beef, substituting half-and-half for heavy cream, and using part-skim cheeses. The flavor profile remains delicious with significantly reduced calories and fat.

Print