I’m so excited to share this One-Pot Lasagna Soup with you today! It’s the perfect solution when you’re craving those rich, comforting lasagna flavors but don’t have the time or energy for all those layers. The beauty lies in its simplicity—broken lasagna noodles, seasoned ground beef, and tomato broth coming together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. Want to know the secret to making this soup absolutely irresistible? It’s all about the toppings and a little trick with heavy cream that transforms everything.
Why You’ll Love this One-Pot Lasagna Soup
While traditional lasagna requires hours of preparation and multiple dishes, this one-pot lasagna soup delivers all those classic flavors with minimal effort.
I’m talking about comfort food magic that happens in just 30 minutes. You’ll appreciate how the broken noodles, savory beef, and rich tomato broth come together in a single pot, saving you from a sink full of dishes.
The best part? Those melty cheese dollops mimic traditional lasagna layers but without all the fuss.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this soup can be customized to your taste. Want it creamier? Just add that optional heavy cream.
What Ingredients are in One-Pot Lasagna Soup?
This comforting soup transforms a labor-intensive classic into an easy weeknight meal with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: ¼ cup heavy cream, for a creamier version
Feel free to adjust these ingredients to your preference—maybe using ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option, or adding some red pepper flakes if you’re craving a bit of heat in your cozy soup bowl.
How to Make this One-Pot Lasagna Soup
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Onions
In a large pot over medium-high heat, add 1 lb ground beef and 1 diced onion, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This creates the savory foundation for our soup, and those little browned bits at the bottom of the pot? Pure flavor gold.
Step 2: Add the Aromatics and Base Ingredients
Once the beef is no longer pink, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Then add the 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, 4 cups of chicken broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 tsp Italian seasoning, giving everything a good stir to combine.
Step 3: Bring to a Simmer
Allow the soup mixture to come to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
This short simmer helps the flavors meld together, creating that rich, lasagna-like taste we’re after.
Step 4: Add the Noodles
Break 8 oz of lasagna noodles into roughly 2-inch pieces and add them to the simmering soup.
I find breaking them over the pot saves cleanup time, but be careful of flying pasta shards—they have a mind of their own sometimes.
Step 5: Cook Until Pasta is Tender
Let the soup continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles have softened to al dente.
You’ll want to stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot.
Step 6: Optional Cream Addition
For a richer, creamier soup, this is when you’d stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream.
It mellows the acidity of the tomatoes and adds a velvety texture that makes the soup feel even more indulgent.
Step 7: Prepare the Cheese Topping
While the soup finishes cooking, prepare your cheese topping by having 1 cup of ricotta cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella ready for serving.
The cheeses really make this dish reminiscent of traditional lasagna.
Step 8: Serve with Toppings
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and some of the 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil.
The heat from the soup will slightly melt the cheeses, creating that stretchy, gooey experience we all love about lasagna.
Using a premium cookware set will ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching when making this delicious one-pot meal.
What to Serve with One-Pot Lasagna Soup
This hearty soup is practically a meal on its own, but a few simple sides can turn dinner into a feast. A crisp Caesar salad or some garlic bread is my go-to pairing—nothing beats dunking warm, buttery bread into that tomatoey broth.
For something lighter, try a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the soup.
If you’re serving this for dinner (which is when it really shines), consider a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese. And don’t forget extra Parmesan for sprinkling!
For the kids or a non-alcoholic option, Italian sodas make a fun, festive complement that takes just seconds to prepare.
One-Pot Lasagna Soup Substitutions and Variations
This versatile soup welcomes so many delicious tweaks:
- Protein swaps: Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or plant-based crumbles work beautifully in place of beef.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or substitute with rice.
- Dairy-free/vegan: Replace cheeses with dairy-free alternatives and use vegetable broth.
- Veggie boost: Add spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Spice it up: Red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce adds welcome heat.
- Herb variations: Try fresh oregano or thyme instead of basil for a different flavor profile.
- Time-saver: Use jarred marinara sauce (2 cups) in place of crushed tomatoes and paste.
- Low-carb version: Substitute thinly sliced zucchini ribbons for the pasta.
The beauty of one-pot cooking? You can adjust on the fly without creating extra dishes. What could be better?
Leftovers and Storage for this One-Pot Lasagna Soup
This hearty soup actually tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to mingle and get cozy with each other.
Here’s how to handle the leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For freezing, let the soup cool completely first, then store without the cheese toppings for up to 3 months.
- The noodles tend to absorb liquid as they sit, so when reheating, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
- Store cheese toppings separately if possible to maintain their texture.
Pro tip: Portion into individual containers for quick grab-and-go lunches that’ll make your coworkers jealous.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably magical about transforming a labor-intensive classic like lasagna into a cozy, spoonable experience that delivers all the flavor with half the effort.
This One-Pot Lasagna Soup captures everything we love about traditional lasagna—the savory meat, tangy tomatoes, tender pasta, and melty cheese—while simplifying the process dramatically.
Perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving comfort food but don’t have time for all those layers, or on chilly weekends when you need something that’ll warm you from the inside out.
The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to bring everyone to the table with minimal dishes to clean afterward—truly the best of all possible worlds.
