Name: Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lb ButcherBox Ground Beef; ½ cup minced onion; 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 garlic cloves); 28 oz crushed tomatoes (low or no sodium); 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, omit if you don’t like spice or add to taste at end); 4 cups low sodium beef broth; 2 cups water; 2 cups reginetti pasta (or broken lasagna noodles, about 5 oz); ¼ cup ricotta cheese; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

I absolutely love cozy meals that feel like a warm hug, and this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe hits that mark perfectly every time I make it. It combines all the delicious, comforting flavors of classic lasagna into a hearty, soul-soothing soup that’s incredibly simple to prepare. Whether I’m feeding a family or just craving something satisfying on a chilly evening, this recipe never fails to bring smiles and requests for seconds. It’s truly one of my favorite ways to enjoy lasagna with much less fuss and cleanup!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe

One of the things I adore most about this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe is how the flavors all come together so beautifully. You get that rich, savory taste of browned ground beef mingling with herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley, alongside the comforting tang of crushed tomatoes. The slight hint of garlic and just a touch of red pepper flakes gives the soup a wonderful depth without overwhelming the palate. It’s like your favorite lasagna, but in a bowl that feels warm and inviting from the very first spoonful.

From my experience, the ease of preparation truly makes this recipe stand out. I can have it on the stove, simmering away, in under 10 minutes of active work, then just let it do its thing until dinner is ready. It’s perfect for weeknights when I want something hearty but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Plus, it’s versatile enough to serve for casual family dinners or dress up a little for entertaining friends. This soup hits that balance between comfort food and convenience that I simply can’t recommend enough.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top view of a dark blue pot filled with a single layer of cooked ground meat mixed with small pieces of translucent cooked onion, resting on a white marbled surface. Around the pot, starting from the top left corner, there is a white bowl with two layers of light brown curly-edged pasta, a clear glass measuring cup with water, a white bowl filled with bright red tomato sauce, a white bowl of mixed green and red dried herbs and spices with two bay leaves on top, and a white bowl with one layer of shredded pale yellow cheese. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredient list for this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe is wonderfully straightforward, which makes shopping and prepping a breeze. Each ingredient plays a key role: the ground beef adds rich protein and texture, the crushed tomatoes bring acidity and color, and the herbs round out the flavor profile beautifully. Even the pasta contributes to the heartiness, soaking up all the delicious broth.

Olive oil: This is where I start the flavor base by browning the beef for a lovely, rich taste.
Ground beef: I use high-quality, lean ground beef for the best texture and savory punch.
Minced onion: Adds a slight sweetness and depth once sautéed.
Minced garlic: A must-have to infuse the soup with that classic Italian aroma.
Crushed tomatoes: They provide the tangy, slightly sweet tomato base that the soup simmers in.
Bay leaf: Just one leaf adds an earthy, aromatic undertone that elevates the dish.
Dried basil, parsley, oregano: These herbs are key to capturing that authentic lasagna flavor.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked for mild heat and seasoning balance.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but I like to add a little kick to brighten the taste.
Beef broth: It creates the savory, rich liquid base for the soup.
Water: Dilutes the broth slightly so it never gets too heavy or salty.
Reginetti pasta (or broken lasagna noodles): These pasta shapes soak up the broth and make each bite wonderfully satisfying.
Ricotta cheese (optional): I love dolloping this on top for creamy richness.
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional): It adds salty, nutty notes that finish the dish beautifully.

Directions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes until shimmering but not smoking.

Step 2: Add the ground beef to the hot oil. Cook it for roughly 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s completely browned and no longer pink. Use a spoon or spatula to break it up into small pieces as it cooks.

Step 3: Once the beef is browned, add the minced onion and garlic. Sauté everything together for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant—but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and water, then add the bay leaf, dried herbs, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Stir to combine everything well.

Step 5: Cover the pot and raise the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Make sure to stir every few minutes to prevent any sticking on the bottom.

Step 6: Once boiling, stir in the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium and let the soup cook uncovered. Keep an eye on the pasta and cook it for half the amount of time the package recommends—this ensures it doesn’t get mushy as it’ll keep cooking off heat.

Step 7: Remove the pot from the stove and let the soup sit uncovered for 5 minutes. This allows the pasta to absorb some of the broth and reach perfect tenderness.

Step 8: Remove the bay leaf from the pot and ladle the soup into bowls. I like to top mine generously with some grated Parmesan and a spoonful of ricotta cheese for a creamy touch. Serve it immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Servings and Timing

This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe yields about 6 hearty servings, perfect for feeding a family or having leftovers for the next day. The active prep time is just around 10 minutes, mostly browning the meat and prepping ingredients. Cook time on the stove takes about 25–30 minutes, including simmering and pasta cooking. Total time from start to finish is roughly 40 minutes, with a brief 5-minute resting period at the end to let the pasta finish cooking perfectly. It’s a wonderful mix of quick and comforting!

How to Serve This Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe

A close-up view of a black spoon holding a mix of cooked pasta and ground meat in a thick red tomato sauce. The pasta shows two different shapes: small curly noodles and flat, wavy-edged pieces. The meat is finely crumbled and evenly spread among the sauce, which has a rich, smooth texture with some small chunks of tomato. The background is filled with more of the same pasta and sauce mixture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

I love serving this soup piping hot to really highlight its comforting nature. For a full meal, I often pair it with a fresh green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette to cut through the richness, and some crusty garlic bread on the side for dipping. The garlic bread soaks up the flavorful broth, making each bite even more indulgent.

For presentation, I like to add a little extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top and a fresh basil leaf when I’m feeling fancy. Dollops of ricotta are an absolute must for me because they melt gently into the hot soup, adding luscious creaminess. This recipe scales beautifully for casual weeknight dinners or informal gatherings where spoonfuls can be served right from the pot into bowls. It’s also fabulous alongside a glass of chilled white wine, like Pinot Grigio or a light Chianti, which complements the tomato and beef flavors wonderfully. Non-alcoholic options like sparkling water with lemon also keep things fresh and balanced.

This soup is best enjoyed warm but not boiling hot so you can really savor the layers of flavor in each bite. I usually start with moderate portions to appreciate the taste and offer seconds for anyone who wants more because it’s that satisfying!

Variations

I absolutely love customizing this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe depending on what I have on hand or my mood. One easy twist is swapping the ground beef for ground Italian sausage to add a spicier, more herbaceous dimension. For a lighter version, I sometimes use ground turkey or even diced mushrooms to keep it hearty but a bit less rich.

If you’re gluten-free, substituting the pasta with gluten-free noodles works really well. Just remember to adjust the cooking time since gluten-free pasta can behave differently and might get mushy faster. For a vegan take, I replace the ground meat with lentils, use vegetable broth, and skip the cheese or use vegan ricotta and Parmesan alternatives. This way, you still get the comforting texture and flavors without animal products.

Sometimes I like to experiment by adding extra veggies like finely diced carrots or spinach to sneak in more nutrition and color. For a creamier soup, stirring in a bit of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end creates a lovely, silky texture. I’ve also tried baking this soup with a topping of mozzarella cheese for a lasagna-inspired crust that’s crispy and golden on top. Whatever variation you choose, this recipe welcomes your personal touches with open arms!

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers of this soup in airtight containers to keep the flavors fresh and the pasta from drying out. I find glass or BPA-free plastic containers work best. The soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the pasta continues to soak up broth over time, the soup may thicken slightly, so you might want to add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Freezing

This soup freezes nicely if you want to save some for later. I let it cool completely first, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. Just note the pasta might lose a bit of its original texture but stays delicious.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the soup gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a little beef broth or water helps loosen the soup back up and keeps the pasta from becoming too dry. Microwaving works in a pinch but can sometimes cause uneven heating or toughen the pasta. Avoid boiling the soup again as high heat can make the noodles mushy and break down the texture.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta instead of reginetti or lasagna noodles?

Absolutely! Other short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or even broken pieces of farfalle work well. Just keep in mind cooking times may vary, and making sure not to overcook the pasta is key to keeping the soup’s texture perfect.

Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! For a vegetarian or vegan version, swap the ground beef for lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and skip or replace the cheese with plant-based alternatives. The soup will still be flavorful and comforting.

Can I prepare this soup in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?

While it’s possible, I personally find the stovetop method yields the best texture, especially for the pasta. The Instant Pot can cook pasta quickly but risks overcooking and mushiness. The slow cooker tends to over-soften the pasta. If you use these methods, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it just before serving.

How spicy is this soup with the red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add just a gentle kick that brightens the flavors without overwhelming the dish. However, you can omit them completely or adjust the quantity to your heat preference. It’s very customizable!

What toppings do you recommend to garnish this soup?

I love topping mine with grated Parmesan and a dollop of ricotta cheese to add creaminess and cheesy richness. Fresh basil or parsley leaves make for a lovely fresh garnish, and a drizzle of good quality olive oil can add an extra touch of flavor.

Conclusion

I can’t recommend this Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe enough if you’re looking for a meal that’s bursting with flavor, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make. It has become my go-to when I want that homemade lasagna taste without the fuss, and I truly hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Give it a try for your next dinner—you might just find your new favorite soup!