This Easy Lasagna Soup is a warm and comforting twist on a classic Italian dish. It’s loaded with ground beef, a rich tomato-based broth, and tender pasta, all seasoned with aromatic herbs. It’s like a deconstructed lasagna that’s perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights, and it’s surprisingly easy to make on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a comforting classic, simplified: Enjoy all the flavors of lasagna without the layering and baking.
- Versatile cooking methods: Choose your preferred cooking method – stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker.
- Packed with flavor: The combination of ground beef, tomatoes, herbs, and pasta creates a delicious and satisfying soup.
- Budget-friendly: Made with simple, affordable ingredients.
Ingredients for Easy Lasagna Soup
This soup is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that deliver a taste of Italy in every spoonful. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: For browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables.
- Ground Beef: The base of the soup’s hearty flavor.
- Onion and Garlic: Aromatic essentials that add depth and flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Creates a rich and flavorful tomato base.
- Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle, aromatic complexity.
- Dried Basil, Parsley, Oregano: Classic Italian herbs that enhance the overall flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who like a little heat.
- Beef Stock (or Broth): Forms the base of the soup’s savory broth.
- Water: Helps create the perfect soup consistency.
- Reginetti Pasta (or Broken Lasagna Noodles): Adds a satisfying chewiness.
- Ricotta Cheese (optional): For a creamy, cheesy topping.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional): Adds a salty, nutty flavor.
How to Make Easy Lasagna Soup
Stove Top Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot on the stovetop. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
- Simmer: Add the crushed tomatoes, spices, beef stock, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta to the soup and bring back to a boil. Cook until the pasta is al dente.
- Serve: Discard the bay leaf and serve the soup hot, topped with ricotta and parmesan cheese if desired.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Sauté: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the olive oil and brown the ground beef. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
- Pressure Cook: Add the crushed tomatoes, spices, beef stock, water, and pasta to the pot. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Quick release the pressure once the cooking time is complete.
- Serve: Discard the bay leaf and serve the soup hot, topped with ricotta and parmesan cheese if desired.
Crock Pot Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic in a pot on the stovetop.
- Slow Cook: Transfer the beef mixture to a crock pot. Add the crushed tomatoes, spices, beef stock, and water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Add the Pasta: In the last hour of cooking, add the pasta to the crock pot.
- Serve: Discard the bay leaf and serve the soup hot, topped with ricotta and parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Pasta variations: You can use any type of pasta you like, but reginetti or broken lasagna noodles are recommended for their texture and ability to hold up in the soup.
- Spice level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking, or omit them altogether for a milder soup.
- Cheese lover’s tip: Feel free to add more ricotta and parmesan cheese to your liking.
How to Serve Easy Lasagna Soup
- Cozy meal: Serve this soup as a hearty and comforting meal on a cold day.
- Side dish: Pair it with a crusty bread or a side salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen the soup.
FAQs
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, you can use fresh herbs. If you do, use about three times the amount of fresh herbs as dried.
Can I freeze this soup?
It’s best to enjoy this soup fresh, as freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the pasta.
My soup is too thick, what should I do?
If your soup is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more broth or water.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add more vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, for extra heartiness.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Easy Lasagna Soup. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintEasy Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Easy Lasagna Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It has all the delicious flavors of lasagna but in a convenient soup form.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, minced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (about 3 garlic cloves)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, low or no sodium
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional – omit if you don’t like spice or add to taste at end)
- 4 cups beef stock or beef broth, low or no sodium
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles (about 6 oz)
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for serving)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Stove Top Instructions:
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot on the stove, heat olive oil. Add the ground beef to the oil and cook for 10 minutes until browned. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes until onions/garlic are translucent.
- Simmer Soup: Add tomatoes, spices, stock, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: After the soup has cooked, add raw pasta. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, about 4-6 minutes (cook time will vary depending on the pasta shape you use, but cook about 3-4 minutes less than the recommended time).
- Serve: Once cooked, discard the bay leaf. Top with parmesan cheese and ricotta. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté for 15 minutes. Add olive oil to the pot and heat. Add ground beef and cook for 10 minutes until browned. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes until onions/garlic are translucent. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the Instant Pot to avoid a burn notice.
- Pressure Cook: Add tomatoes, spices, stock, and water to the pot. Stir well. Add pasta and press down into the water/broth but don’t push to the bottom of the pot. Cover the pot and set to sealing, high pressure. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the pot has finished cooking, do a quick release.
- Serve: Once cooked, discard the bay leaf. Top with parmesan cheese and ricotta. Enjoy!
Crockpot Instructions:
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot on the stove, heat olive oil. Add ground beef to the oil and cook for 10 minutes until browned. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes until onions/garlic are translucent. Add to the crock pot base.
- Slow Cook: Add tomatoes, spices, stock, and water to the crock pot base. Do not add pasta! Stir until combined. Set to high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours (low is recommended).
- Add Pasta: In the last hour of cooking, add your raw pasta to the crock pot. Stir to combine. Turn the crock pot to high. Cover and cook for the remaining hour.
- Serve: Once cooked, discard the bay leaf. Top with parmesan cheese and ricotta. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pasta: Reginetti or broken lasagna noodles are recommended for this recipe, but you can use other small pasta shapes. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Broth: You can use homemade or store-bought beef broth.
- Instant Pot/Crock Pot: This recipe is best when made on the stovetop. The pasta can easily get overcooked in the Instant Pot or crock pot.
- Optional Toppings: Other delicious toppings include fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, or a dollop of pesto.
- Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
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