Hearty Lasagna Soup is the perfect dish to warm you up on chilly days. This comforting soup combines all the classic flavors of lasagna in a rich, inviting broth. It’s great for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy gatherings with friends. The standout quality of this recipe is its ease of preparation, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comforting and Satisfying: Hearty Lasagna Soup brings the warmth of lasagna in a convenient form that’s perfect for cold weather.
- Flavorful Ingredients: With sausage, ground beef, and rich cheeses, each spoonful is packed with flavor that will delight your taste buds.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily swap out ingredients based on your preferences or dietary needs, making this soup versatile.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe yields a large batch, making it ideal for leftovers throughout the week or for freezing.
- Quick Cooking Time: Despite being hearty, this soup comes together in just under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Tools and Preparation
To make Hearty Lasagna Soup efficiently, having the right tools will help streamline your cooking process as well as make preparation easier.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Importance of Each Tool
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven: A sturdy pot allows you to cook ingredients evenly while providing enough space to combine everything without spills.
- Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring ingredients without scratching your pot’s surface and ensures even mixing.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to achieving the perfect flavor balance in your soup.
- Knife and cutting board: Essential for chopping vegetables and preparing other ingredients quickly.
Ingredients
Hearty rich lasagna soup is a cold-weather favorite.
Meat
- 1 pound hot sausage (Italian sausage may be used as well)
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables
- 2 small onions, chopped into ½ pieces, about 2 cups worth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ – 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Base
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- (2) 14.5 ounces cans diced tomatoes, with garlic (fire-roasted tomatoes are great if you can find them)
- 8 cups chicken broth
Pasta & Cheese
- 6-8 ounces mafalda pasta, or an alternate curly pasta
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese, about 1 cup
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, about ½ cup
- 2 ounces freshly shredded Mozzarella, about ½ cup
How to Make Hearty Lasagna Soup
Step 1: Brown the Meat
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook and crumble the sausage and ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic to cook along with the meat. Sprinkle with Italian seasonings and red pepper flakes as everything cooks.
Step 2: Add Base Ingredients
Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well and increase heat to high. When the soup begins to simmer, reduce to medium-high once again.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Add the pasta to the pot. Stir gently and simmer until noodles are soft (8-10 minutes). Taste the broth and adjust spices as needed.
Step 4: Prepare Cheese Mixture
While the pasta is cooking, stir together ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Mozzarella cheese in a small bowl.
Step 5: Serve
Scoop the soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous scoop of the cheese mixture. Enjoy your delicious Hearty Lasagna Soup!
How to Serve Hearty Lasagna Soup
Hearty Lasagna Soup is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you want to make it a meal or complement it with sides, here are some serving suggestions.
Add Crusty Bread
- Pair your soup with slices of crusty bread for dipping. The bread soaks up the rich flavors and adds a nice texture.
Top with Fresh Basil
- Garnish your bowl with fresh basil leaves. This adds a pop of color and a burst of flavor that brightens the dish.
Serve with a Salad
- A side salad balances the richness of the soup. Consider a simple green salad with vinaigrette to keep it light.
Include Extra Cheese
- For cheese lovers, sprinkle additional Parmesan or Mozzarella on top before serving. This creates an extra cheesy finish that enhances every bite.
Drizzle with Olive Oil
- A drizzle of high-quality olive oil over the soup adds depth and richness. It also makes the presentation more appealing.
How to Perfect Hearty Lasagna Soup
Perfecting Hearty Lasagna Soup is all about balancing flavors and textures. Here are some tips to ensure your soup turns out delicious every time.
- Choose quality sausage – Using a good quality sausage enhances the flavor base of the soup.
- Adjust spice levels – Feel free to modify the crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- Cook pasta al dente – Cooking pasta just right ensures it stays firm and doesn’t become mushy in the soup.
- Use homemade broth if possible – Homemade chicken broth can elevate the taste compared to store-bought options.
- Let it sit before serving – Allowing the soup to sit for 10 minutes after cooking helps meld flavors together.
- Experiment with toppings – Try adding different herbs or cheeses as toppings for variety each time you serve it.
Best Side Dishes for Hearty Lasagna Soup
When enjoying Hearty Lasagna Soup, pairing it with complementary side dishes can enhance your meal experience. Here are some great options:
- Garlic Bread – A classic choice that pairs perfectly, especially when toasted until golden brown.
- Caesar Salad – Crisp romaine lettuce topped with Caesar dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese adds crunch and zest.
- Caprese Salad – Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze offer freshness alongside the rich soup.
- Stuffed Mushrooms – Savory stuffed mushrooms provide an earthy flavor that complements the Italian theme.
- Roasted Vegetables – A medley of roasted seasonal vegetables adds color and nutrients to your meal.
- Cheesy Garlic Knots – These soft, cheesy knots are perfect for dipping into your hearty soup.
- Pesto Pasta Salad – A cold pasta salad tossed in pesto brings a refreshing contrast to the hot soup.
- Antipasto Platter – An assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables creates an inviting starter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making Hearty Lasagna Soup can be a delightful experience, but avoiding common mistakes is key to perfecting this dish.
- Overcooking the Pasta: Cooking the pasta too long will lead to mushy noodles. Always check for al dente texture, as it will continue to soften in the soup.
- Ignoring Seasoning Adjustments: Not tasting your broth before serving can result in bland soup. Taste and adjust spices to suit your palate before adding the cheese.
- Skipping the Cheese Mixture: The cheesy topping is essential for that authentic lasagna flavor. Don’t skip mixing ricotta, Parmesan, and Mozzarella; it adds creaminess.
- Using Low-Quality Ingredients: Cheap ingredients can ruin the overall flavor. Opt for high-quality sausage, tomatoes, and cheese for a rich and hearty taste.
- Not Letting It Rest: Serving immediately may not allow flavors to meld. Allowing the soup to sit for a few minutes enhances its richness.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container.
- It will last up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezing Hearty Lasagna Soup
- Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Can be stored for up to 3 months.
Reheating Hearty Lasagna Soup
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place soup in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 30 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave: Use a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Stovetop: Pour soup into a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about making Hearty Lasagna Soup, here are some common queries answered.
What is Hearty Lasagna Soup?
Hearty Lasagna Soup combines all the delicious flavors of traditional lasagna into a comforting soup. It’s perfect for chilly nights!
Can I make Hearty Lasagna Soup vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute ground meat with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a tasty vegetarian option.
How do I customize my Hearty Lasagna Soup?
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or zucchini, or swap out cheeses based on your preference. Customize it to your taste!
Can I use different pasta types in Hearty Lasagna Soup?
Absolutely! While mafalda pasta is great, feel free to use any curly pasta shape you prefer. Just ensure it cooks well in the broth.
Final Thoughts
Hearty Lasagna Soup is not only comforting but also versatile. You can easily adapt it according to your tastes or dietary needs. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy warm bowls filled with cheesy goodness!
Hearty Lasagna Soup
Hearty Lasagna Soup is the ultimate comfort food that warms the soul on chilly days. This delightful dish captures all the flavors of classic lasagna, transforming it into a rich and satisfying soup. With its savory blend of sausage, ground beef, and creamy cheeses simmered in a flavorful broth, this hearty soup is perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings with friends. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to prepare—ready in under an hour—which makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. Enjoy a generous bowl topped with a cheesy mixture that will leave you craving more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound hot sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 small onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- (2) 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 6-8 ounces mafalda pasta
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the sausage and ground beef over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix ricotta, Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheeses in a bowl.
- Serve the soup hot, topped with the cheese mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 300g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
