Hearty One-Pot Lasagna Soup: Weeknight Comfort (Print Version)

Whip up a delicious One-Pot Lasagna Soup for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal. Get cozy with this hearty, simple comfort food recipe.

# 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-loving, can be adapted to vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients for Lasagna Soup

01 - Olive Oil
02 - Ground Beef (or Italian Sausage)
03 - Yellow Onion, chopped
04 - Garlic, minced
05 - Canned Crushed Tomatoes
06 - Canned Tomato Paste
07 - Chicken Broth (or Vegetable Broth)
08 - Lasagna Noodles, broken into 1-2 inch pieces

→ Flavor Boosters for Lasagna Soup

09 - Dried Oregano
10 - Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
11 - Salt
12 - Black Pepper

→ Finishing Touches for Lasagna Soup

13 - Ricotta Cheese
14 - Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
15 - Parmesan Cheese, grated
16 - Fresh Basil, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first, grab your big pot – the one you use for everything, you know? Heat up a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef or Italian sausage. Break it up with a spoon and let it brown, really get some color on it. This is where the flavor starts, hon. Drain off any extra fat, because nobody wants greasy soup, right? I've forgotten to drain it once, and oops, learned my lesson. It should smell savory and delicious already!
02 - Now, add your chopped onion to the pot with the browned meat. Stir it around until it softens and turns a bit translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, throw in your minced garlic and dried oregano. Stir constantly for about a minute until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma – don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made before and it makes everything bitter! This step fills my kitchen with the best smells, honestly.
03 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Give it all a good stir to combine everything, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that's pure flavor! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat, and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Bring this glorious mixture to a gentle simmer. It should start to bubble happily, smelling rich and warm.
04 - This is the fun part! Add your broken lasagna noodles directly into the simmering broth. Stir them well to make sure they're all submerged and not sticking together. I always stir them frequently for the first few minutes to prevent clumps, because oops, I've had a giant noodle blob before! Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente. They should be tender but still have a little bite. The broth will thicken beautifully.
05 - Once the noodles are cooked, take the pot off the heat. Stir in about half of your ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella until they're mostly melted and creamy. You'll see those lovely cheesy streaks, oh my. Taste it and adjust seasonings if needed – maybe a little more salt, maybe more pepper. This is where it really starts to feel like lasagna, honestly, all that cheesy goodness!
06 - Ladle the hot One-Pot Lasagna Soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of the remaining ricotta, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese. Finish with a scattering of fresh basil leaves. The steam rising off it, the melted cheese, the fresh basil... it just looks and smells incredible. Serve immediately and enjoy that warm, comforting hug in a bowl!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd your pot! If you're doubling the recipe, use a bigger pot or split it into two. I learned the hard way that a cramped pot means unevenly cooked noodles.
02 - Leftovers taste even better, but for best texture, reheat gently on the stovetop. The noodles soak up broth, so add a splash more if needed.
03 - No ground beef? Ground turkey or even plant-based crumbles work great. I've used cottage cheese (blended) instead of ricotta in a pinch, and it was surprisingly good.
04 - Always serve with crusty garlic bread for dipping, it's non-negotiable! A sprinkle of fresh basil makes it look extra special.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot

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