This easy lasagna soup recipe brings all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna into a warm, brothy bowl. Made with Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and three types of cheese, it’s ready in under an hour and perfect for chilly evenings when you crave something hearty yet simple.
I first discovered this style of soup during my travels through Northern Italy, where rustic, one-pot meals are a way of life. There’s something deeply comforting about transforming traditional layered dishes into spoonable creations, especially when served alongside crusty bread for dipping. I often make this for family gatherings during fall and winter, pairing it with simple sides like my cheesy garlic bliss bread or a crisp green salad. It has become our go-to comfort food, much like my hearty beef stew during the colder months.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup
- One-Pot Simplicity: Everything cooks in a single pot for easy preparation and cleanup.
- Comfort Food Upgrade: All the classic lasagna flavors in a lighter, soup form.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike adore this cheesy, brothy creation.
- Quick Preparation: Ready faster than traditional baked lasagna but just as satisfying.
Ingredients for Perfect Easy Lasagna Soup
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
For the Soup Base
- Olive oil: Use good quality extra virgin for the best flavor foundation.
- Yellow onion: Finely chopped to melt into the broth beautifully.
- Garlic: Freshly minced cloves provide the most aromatic base.
- Crushed tomatoes: San Marzano varieties offer superior sweetness and texture.
- Italian sausage: Remove casings for perfect crumbles that flavor every spoonful.
- Lasagna noodles: No-boil varieties work perfectly broken into soup-sized pieces.
For the Cheese Topping
- Ricotta cheese: Bring to room temperature for creamy, smooth dolloping.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated offers superior melting and flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture part-skim melts beautifully without greasiness.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped finely for bright color and fresh flavor contrast.

Easy Lasagna Soup
Equipment
- oven
- large skillet or Dutch oven
- large skillet
- medium bowl
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- cutting board
- knife
- aluminum foil
- wire rack
Ingredients
Sauce Base
- 1/4 cup olive oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground, divided
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 28-ounce
Meat and Cheese Filling
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 pound ricotta cheese at room temperature
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 package no-boil lasagna noodles 16-ounce
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, low-moisture, part-skim
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper, and the red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the onion mixture. Fill the empty can about one-quarter full with water, swish it around, and pour it into the skillet to rinse out the remaining tomato. Stir well, bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, prepare the fillings. In a separate large skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for 7-8 minutes, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, make the ricotta filling by stirring together the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until it is smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble the lasagna. Spread about 1 cup of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, then top with half of the cooked sausage crumbles and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Spoon and spread another 1 cup of sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat the layering process: add another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, the remaining sausage, 1 more cup of mozzarella, and 1 cup of sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles. Pour the last of the sauce over the top layer of noodles, making sure to cover the noodles completely to prevent drying out. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and has golden brown spots.
- Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving. This resting time allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut neat squares.
Notes
Creative Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Replace sausage with mushrooms and add white beans for protein.
- Extra Cheesy: Stir additional mozzarella directly into the soup before serving.
- Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes and spicy Italian sausage.
Pro Tips for Soup Success
- Broth Consistency: Adjust with extra water or broth if the soup becomes too thick during cooking.
- Cheese Dolloping: Let the ricotta mixture come to room temperature for easier swirling.
- Noodle Doneness: Cook until al dente as they will continue softening in the hot broth.
- Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust salt after adding the Parmesan cheese, which is naturally salty.
Storing and Reheating Guide
- Store: Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keeping cheese topping separate if possible.
- Freeze: Freeze without cheese topping for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low heat, adding extra broth if needed.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the soup base and refrigerate, then add noodles when reheating to prevent mushiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular lasagna noodles instead of no-boil?
Yes, you can use regular lasagna noodles. Just break them into smaller pieces and cook for a few extra minutes until tender. No-boil noodles simply absorb liquid more efficiently, but traditional noodles work perfectly with slight timing adjustments.
How can I make this soup creamier?
For extra creaminess, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste with the onions or add a splash of heavy cream at the end. The ricotta cheese dollop also creates a lovely creamy texture when stirred into the hot broth.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Brown the sausage and sauté vegetables first, then combine everything except the noodles and cheese in the slow cooker. Add broken noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
What can I serve with lasagna soup?
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or even garlic bread. For a complete Italian meal, consider serving it alongside traditional meatballs.
More Comforting Soup Recipes
Make This Easy Lasagna Soup Tonight
With its rich tomato broth, savory sausage, and triple cheese goodness, this easy lasagna soup recipe delivers all the comfort of traditional lasagna with spoonable ease. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, offering that familiar lasagna flavor in a fraction of the time. Once you try this comforting bowl, it may just become your new favorite way to enjoy lasagna flavors.