One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Without the Layers (or the Dishes)

There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade lasagna—but let’s face it, no one’s rushing home on a Tuesday night to boil noodles, mix fillings, layer sauces, and bake for an hour.

That’s why this One-Pot Lasagna Soup is a total game changer.

It captures all the cheesy, savory, saucy deliciousness of classic lasagna—but cooks in one pot, with less than half the effort. No layering. No oven. No mountain of dishes. Just warm, hearty comfort food made simple, ready in under an hour.

Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, meal prepping for the week, or looking for a no-fuss comfort dinner, this one-pot wonder is sure to satisfy.

🍲 Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Lasagna Soup

✅ One pot = easy cleanup
✅ Ready in under 1 hour
✅ Pork-free & alcohol-free
✅ Perfect for weeknights
✅ Freezer-friendly
✅ Customizable for different diets

This dish is flexible, family-friendly, and practically foolproof.

🛒 Ingredients

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: ~50 minutes

👩‍🍳 For the Soup:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 (28 oz / 800g) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz / 425g) can tomato sauce

• 5 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

• 8 oz uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

🧀 For the Cheese Topping:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

🍽️ How to Make One-Pot Lasagna Soup

🔥 Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the ground meat (beef or turkey) and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and dried herbs (oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes). Cook for another 30 seconds.

Season with salt and black pepper.

💡 Tip: For deeper flavor, don’t rush the browning process! Let the meat develop a nice crust.

🍅 Step 2: Add Tomato Paste and Liquids

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for 1–2 minutes to caramelize slightly—it’ll deepen the flavor.

Then add:

• Crushed tomatoes

• Tomato sauce

• Broth

Stir everything together and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

🍝 Step 3: Add Pasta and Simmer

Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low.

Add the broken lasagna noodles and stir well to make sure they’re evenly distributed and fully submerged.

Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender but not mushy.

⚠️ Be sure to stir every few minutes—especially toward the end—to prevent sticking!

🧀 Step 4: Mix the Cheese Topping

While the soup simmers, make your cheese topping:

In a small bowl, combine:

• Ricotta

• Half the mozzarella

• 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan
  Add a pinch of salt and black pepper. Mix until smooth.

This cheesy blend mimics the creamy layers of classic lasagna.

🥣 Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture.

Sprinkle with more mozzarella, Parmesan, and chopped parsley or basil.

✨ Optional: Serve with warm crusty bread for dipping and a simple green salad on the side.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. Add a splash of broth if the soup thickens.

Freezer:

Lasagna soup freezes beautifully—but for best results, freeze without the pasta, which can get mushy.
Let the soup base cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Add freshly cooked pasta and cheese topping when reheating.

🌀 Variations & Substitutions

🌱 Vegetarian Lasagna Soup:

• Replace meat with mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based ground

• Use vegetable broth instead of meat broth

🍝 Pasta Swaps:

• Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or short pasta like penne, fusilli, or elbows

• Avoid very thin noodles—they can break apart too easily

🧀 Dairy-Free Option:

• Omit the cheese topping or use plant-based ricotta and mozzarella

• Garnish with fresh herbs and nutritional yeast for added flavor

🧠 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the soup base ahead and reheat it later. For the best texture, add the pasta and cheese just before serving.

How do I prevent the noodles from getting soggy?

Don’t overcook them during the simmer, and avoid leaving the soup on the heat once they’re al dente. You can also cook the noodles separately and add to individual bowls.

Is this recipe spicy?

Only slightly, from the optional red pepper flakes. You can omit them for a milder, kid-friendly version—or double them if you like heat.

What’s the best meat to use?

Ground beef and ground turkey both work well. Choose lean varieties for a lighter soup, or add some mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.

Can I cook this in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?

Yes! This recipe adapts well:

• Instant Pot: Use sauté mode, pressure cook for 5 minutes after adding liquids/pasta.

• Slow Cooker: Brown meat first, then cook everything (except pasta) on low for 6–8 hours. Stir in pasta 30 minutes before serving.

⚖️ Nutritional Info (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 360–420

• Protein: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 30–35g

• Fat: 15–18g

• Fiber: 3–4g

• Sugar: ~6g
  (Varies based on ingredients and cheese portions.)

💡 Pro Tips for Success

• Layer flavor: Brown your meat well and cook tomato paste before adding liquids.

• Don’t rush the simmer: Let the flavors come together while noodles cook.

• Customize the cheese: Want it extra creamy? Stir the cheese right into the pot before serving.

Final Thoughts: Easy Comfort Food with Less Cleanup

This One-Pot Lasagna Soup is everything you love about lasagna—without the prep, layering, or piles of dishes.

It’s cozy, satisfying, and flexible enough for picky eaters, busy nights, or leftover lunches. One big pot delivers it all: rich tomato broth, tender pasta, melty cheese, and big Italian flavor.

Best of all? You only have to wash one pot.

💬 Tried It? Share It!

If you make this One-Pot Lasagna Soup, leave a comment and let us know how it turned out!
Tag your photos with #OnePotLasagnaSoup on Instagram or Pinterest—we’d love to see your bowl of comfort.

Save for Later

Pin this recipe to your “Weeknight Dinners” or “One-Pot Meals” board. so it’s ready the next time you’re craving something warm, hearty, and low-effort.