Name: Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground Italian sausage; 1 medium white onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 cup dry white wine; 4 cups beef, chicken or vegetable stock; 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 1 bay leaf; 8 ounces uncooked mafalda pasta (or your preferred shape of pasta); fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper; Lots of cheese (shredded mozzarella, ricotta and/or Parmesan cheese); Chopped fresh basil

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 22 reviews

If you’re craving all the cozy, cheesy comfort of classic lasagna but want it simmering on your table with a fraction of the effort, this Easy Lasagna Soup is about to become your new go-to weeknight dinner. It takes everything you love about traditional lasagna — hearty sausage, silky tomato broth, tender pasta, and mountains of gooey cheese — and transforms it into a one-pot wonder that’s ready in around half an hour. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just need something soul-warming fast, this is the kind of dish you’ll come back to again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Easy Lasagna Soup is there for a reason, coming together to create the ultimate balance of savory, bright, and creamy flavors. Most of these are pantry staples, and each one brings something special to the table, whether it’s depth, spice, richness, or that magical, melty cheese pull.

Olive oil: Gives the sausage and veggies a golden, flavorful start.
Ground Italian sausage: Packs in tons of savory, slightly spicy character and real lasagna flavor.
White onion: Adds sweetness and body to the base of the soup.
Red bell pepper: Brings a pop of color and subtle sweetness that brightens the dish.
Garlic: Five cloves may sound like a lot, but trust me, it infuses incredible aroma throughout the soup.
Crushed red pepper flakes: A pinch adds a little background heat that wakes everything up.
Dry white wine: Use something you’d drink! It lifts up all those delicious browned bits in the pan.
Beef, chicken, or vegetable stock: Adds depth and forms the comforting backbone of our soup.
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: Offer a smoky, bold dimension that supports the rich broth.
Crushed tomatoes: Lend body and a sweet tomato punch to the broth.
Italian seasoning: This blend gives the classic lasagna herbiness (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and more).
Bay leaf: Gently perfumes the soup with subtle herbal notes.
Mafalda pasta (or any short pasta): Looks like little lasagna noodles and catches every bit of sauce and cheese.
Salt and freshly-cracked black pepper: Essential for bringing all those flavors to life.
Toppings: mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, fresh basil: These are what take this soup from delicious to downright irresistible.

How to Make Easy Lasagna Soup

Step 1: Prep the Pasta Water

Start by filling a medium pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt (like the sea, as chefs say), and set it on the stove to boil. This step saves you crucial minutes later; a pot of hot, ready-to-go pasta water means everything comes together at just the right time.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage and Veggies

While your water heats, grab a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the sausage, onions, and diced red pepper. Break up the sausage with a wooden spoon as it sizzles, releasing all those wonderful, savory aromas. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the sausage is cooked through and browned. Add your garlic and crushed red pepper flakes at the end, stirring frequently for 2 minutes, so they bloom without burning.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine and Build the Broth

Pour the white wine into the pot and use your spoon to scrape up any caramelized bits stuck to the bottom – these pack in a ton of flavor. Once the wine cooks off slightly, stir in the stock, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Everything gets a good stir and starts melding together in a beautiful, rich base.

Step 4: Boil the Pasta

By now, your pasta water should be at a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook it just until it’s almost al dente (it’ll finish cooking in the soup). Short shapes like mafalda or rotini work best for holding all that delicious broth and cheese.

Step 5: Simmer the Soup

Once the liquids and flavorings are in the pot, bring the whole mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat, cover, and let all those flavors marry while the pasta finishes cooking. When the pasta’s ready, use a strainer or slotted spoon to scoop it straight from its water into the soup—a little extra pasta water can even help thicken the broth slightly!

Step 6: Season and Serve

Give your Easy Lasagna Soup a quick taste, then adjust with more salt, pepper, or a sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning if you’re feeling bold. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and crown each one with mounds of shredded mozzarella, dollops of ricotta, a shower of Parmesan, and a sprinkling of fresh basil. Get ready for serious lasagna satisfaction in spoonable form.

How to Serve Easy Lasagna Soup

Garnishes

The best part of Easy Lasagna Soup might just be the toppings! Pile on shredded mozzarella for that irresistible stretch, creamy dollops of ricotta for richness, and a hearty grating of Parmesan for sharp, salty contrast. Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish—don’t hold back.

Side Dishes

This soup is hearty on its own, but a crusty loaf of bread for dunking is almost non-negotiable. A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette can also keep things balanced and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow at your next gathering? Try serving Easy Lasagna Soup in individual bread bowls or mini Dutch ovens. For a family-style feel, bring the pot to the table and let everyone customize their own bowl with their favorite cheeses and herbs. It’s interactive, fun, and impossible to resist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To store leftover Easy Lasagna Soup, let it cool to room temperature before transferring to airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, making weekday lunches something to seriously look forward to.

Freezing

If you want to stash some away for a rainy day, let the soup cool completely and store it (without the pasta, if possible) in freezer-safe containers. Pasta can turn a bit soft after freezing, so you might want to add freshly cooked pasta when reheating instead.

Reheating

Gently reheat Easy Lasagna Soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If the soup has thickened in the fridge, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Add fresh cheese and basil when serving for that just-made flavor.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Absolutely! Mafalda is fun and gives the full lasagna vibe, but any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or even broken-up lasagna noodles will work. Just adjust the cooking time so your pasta is al dente.

What can I substitute for Italian sausage?

You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian spin. Just bump up the Italian seasoning to keep all that savory richness.

Is Easy Lasagna Soup spicy?

The heat level is mild, thanks to just a hint of crushed red pepper flakes. If you like things spicier, feel free to add more pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for extra kick.

Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. Keep an eye on the texture though, as gluten-free pasta can get soft quickly, so add it just before serving.

Can I add more vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to stir in some baby spinach, kale, mushrooms, or zucchini for even more color and nutrition. Add them during the last few minutes of simmering so they stay vibrant and tender.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of comfort food and quick, satisfying dinners, there’s just no beating Easy Lasagna Soup. With its rich broth, layers of cheese, and classic Italian flavors, it’s a bowlful of joy that brings everyone running to the table. Give it a try—you might even love it more than traditional lasagna!