Creamy Lasagna Soup: A Bowl of Heartwarming Comfort (Print Version)

Experience Creamy Lasagna Soup, a rich, comforting bowl of pasta, meat, and cheesy goodness. It's all the lasagna flavor without the fuss!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
03 - 1 large onion, chopped
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
07 - 4 cups chicken broth
08 - 6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces

→ Cream & Cheese

09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
11 - 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese (full-fat)
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping

→ Flavor Boosters

13 - 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Finishers

15 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, so first things first, get a big pot or Dutch oven heating up over medium-high. Add a splash of olive oil if your sausage isn't super fatty, then toss in your Italian sausage. Break it up with a spoon, really get some nice browning on it. This is where so much flavor builds, creating the foundation. I love the smell of it sizzling; it just signals comfort is on its way. Drain off any excess grease, unless you're into that, then set the sausage aside for a minute.
02 - Now, back to that pot! Toss in your chopped onion and let it soften, about 5-7 minutes. You want it translucent, not browned, giving off that sweet, gentle aroma. Then, add your minced garlic and let it cook for just a minute until it’s fragrant. Seriously, don't let it burn; burnt garlic is a sad, bitter thing. This step is crucial for the overall flavor profile, making sure it's not just a one-note wonder.
03 - Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute, stirring constantly. This caramelizes it a bit, deepening that tomato flavor. Then, pour in your crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Give it a good stir, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot—that's all flavor, baby! Bring it to a gentle simmer. This is where the sauce starts to really come alive.
04 - Now for the fun part: break up those lasagna noodles! Just snap them into rough 1-2 inch pieces and toss them into the simmering soup. Stir well to make sure they're all submerged and don't stick together. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally, because I always forget and then they stick. This is where it really starts to look like a meal.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and a good handful of grated Parmesan. Then, dollop in the ricotta cheese, but don't stir it in completely. You want those lovely pockets of creamy ricotta goodness throughout the soup. Add back your cooked sausage. Let it warm through for a few minutes, allowing all those incredible flavors to meld. This step is what makes it a true creamy soup.
06 - Ladle your glorious soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, more Parmesan, and fresh basil and parsley. Watch that mozzarella melt; it's pure kitchen magic. The aroma is just intoxicating at this point. Serve it up hot, maybe with some crusty bread for dipping, and prepare for happy sighs. This is what comfort tastes like, honestly.

# Notes:

01 - Always taste and adjust seasoning *before* adding the cheese; it's easy to over-salt otherwise.
02 - Leftovers are fantastic; store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently on the stovetop.
03 - If you don't have lasagna noodles, broken spaghetti or short pasta like penne works in a pinch, just adjust cooking time.
04 - A side of crusty garlic bread is non-negotiable for soaking up all that delicious broth.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - Wooden spoon
03 - Ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 480
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 25g

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