Omg guys this One Pot Lasagna Soup is seriously the best thing ever for busy nights! Made it yesterday when kids were screaming and hubby was working late. Threw everything in one pot (yes ONE pot!!) and boom – dinner done in like 30 mins. All the amazing lasagna flavors but way less work and dishes. The ricotta topping is everything – dont skip it! Been making traditional Classic Lasagna for years but this One Pot Lasagna Soup version might be my new go-to when time’s tight.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Lasagna Soup
Listen up – if ur tired of spending hours making regular lasagna (layering is the worst right?) this One Pot Lasagna Soup is ur new bestie. Made this for my sister’s family last weekend and they couldn’t believe how fast it came together.
The best part? One pot. ONE. No more sink full of dishes! And it tastes just like lasagna but in comforting soup form. Perfect for cold nights or when u just need something easy but still impressive.
You can customize it however u want – add more veggies, switch up the meat, make it spicier. My kids even eat it without complaining which is basically a miracle in our house.
Ingredients for the Best One Pot Lasagna Soup
For the Soup Base:
- 1 lb ground beef (can sub turkey if ur trying to be healthier)
- 1 onion, diced (yellow works best but any kind works)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tbsp pre-minced if ur in a hurry)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (adds richness – dont skip!)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or make ur own mix)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if u dont like heat)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken broth (or beef broth works too)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 2 tsp dried but fresh is way better)
- 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (about 10 noodles)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
The ground beef gives that classic lasagna flavor but if ur vegetarian just add more veggies like zucchini and mushrooms instead. Italian sausage works amazing too – makes it a bit richer.
For noodles I always break up regular lasagna sheets but u can use any pasta really. Been meaning to try this with those cute bow-tie pastas too!
How to Make One Pot Lasagna Soup
- Brown the meat – Heat large pot over medium-high and add ground beef. Cook till no pink left, breaking it up with spoon (about 5 mins). Drain excess fat if theres too much.
- Add the aromatics – Throw in diced onion and cook with meat for like 3-4 mins till soft. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds till u can smell it (dont burn the garlic!!)
- Add flavor base – Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using. Cook about 1 min to wake up the spices.
- Add liquids – Pour in crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir everything and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer.
- Cook pasta – Add broken lasagna noodles to pot. Simmer about 8-10 mins till pasta is tender. Stir occasionally so noodles dont stick together.
- Make cheese mix – While soup simmers, in small bowl mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, and 2 tbsp parmesan. Set aside.
- Final touches – Once pasta is tender, stir in fresh basil (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve it up – Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top each with dollop of ricotta mixture, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parm.
Pro tip: if soup gets too thick (pasta absorbs lot of liquid) just add bit more broth to thin it out.
One Pot Lasagna Soup Variations
Veggie Loaded Version
Add 1 cup diced zucchini, 1 cup chopped spinach, and 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms when u add the onions. More veggies = less guilt right?
Spicy Italian Version
Use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef and double the red pepper flakes. If ur feeling fancy add roasted red peppers too. Check out my Baked Ziti with Spicy Italian Sausage for more spicy inspiration.
Creamy Version
Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or cream cheese at the end. Makes it super rich like my Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole.
Quick Version
Use jarred pasta sauce instead of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Also use small pasta like rotini or penne that cooks faster than lasagna pieces.
Slow Cooker Version
Brown meat first then throw everything except pasta and cheese in slow cooker for 4-6 hrs on low. Add pasta for last 30 mins. Perfect for busy days!
One Pot Lasagna Soup
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Ladle
Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
- 8 oz lasagna noodles broken into pieces (about 10 noodles)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Brown the meat: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic: Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
- Flavor base: Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add liquids: Pour in crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook pasta: Add broken lasagna noodles and simmer for 8–10 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Make cheese mix: In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1/2 of the mozzarella, and 2 tbsp parmesan.
- Final touches: Stir in basil and season soup with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top with a dollop of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
Notes
Nutrition
One Pot Lasagna Soup FAQs
What is One-Pot Lasagna Soup made of?
One-Pot Lasagna Soup is basically all the ingredients you’d use in regular lasagna but in soup form. Ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, broken lasagna noodles (or other pasta), and a cheesy topping made with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Its like deconstructed lasagna but way easier and faster to make. Check out my Lasagna Soup recipe for comparison.
Can I make One-Pot Lasagna Soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Brown the meat first on stovetop, then add everything except pasta and cheese mixture to slow cooker. Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. Add broken lasagna noodles during last 30-45 mins of cooking. Make cheese mixture separately and add when serving. Perfect for busy days or when u want dinner ready when u get home!
Is One-Pot Lasagna Soup freezer friendly?
Yes but with one trick – freeze the soup base WITHOUT the pasta! Pasta gets mushy when frozen and reheated. So make soup without noodles, freeze in portions, then when reheating just cook fresh pasta separately and add to hot soup. The cheese topping also doesn’t freeze great so make that fresh too. Will last 2-3 months in freezer.
How do you thicken One-Pot Lasagna Soup?
Few ways to thicken if its too brothy for u. Easiest is let it simmer longer uncovered so liquid reduces. Or mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir into simmering soup. Can also add tomato paste or even blend 1 cup of the soup and return to pot. My personal fav is adding parmesan rind while cooking – thickens and adds amazing flavor!
What type of noodles work best in lasagna soup?
Traditional lasagna noodles broken into pieces are authentic but can be tricky. Honestly any pasta works great – rotini, farfalle, penne all hold up well. Even egg noodles work! If using regular lasagna noodles, break into roughly 2-inch pieces before adding. For faster cooking try no-boil lasagna sheets or smaller pasta shapes. Similar to my Make Classic Barilla Lasagna where noodle type matters.
Tips for Perfect One Pot Lasagna Soup
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Add it later in cooking process if ur not sure
- Cheese topping should be room temp not straight from fridge
- If making ahead, keep pasta separate till serving time
- For extra flavor add parmesan rind to broth while simmering
- Taste before serving and adjust salt – broth brands vary in saltiness
This soup is even better next day after flavors meld together. Just might need add splash of broth when reheating since pasta absorbs liquid overnight.
One Pot Lasagna Soup – The Comfort Food Champion
Made this One Pot Lasagna Soup last week when my mom was over. She’s super traditional with Italian cooking (should see her face when I take shortcuts lol). But even she had to admit this was amazing and asked for recipe! That’s when u know its good.
There’s something about soup that just feels like home. This One Pot Lasagna Soup gives u all those cozy feelings but without spending hours in kitchen. Whether its busy weeknight or lazy weekend dinner, this recipe has ur back.
Try it, tweak it, make it ur own! And if ur craving more Italian comfort food check out my Slumgullion Recipe or Zuppa Toscana Soup for more easy one pot meals.
Let me know how ur One Pot Lasagna Soup turns out in comments below!