This easy soup has everything you love about lasagna, all in one bowl, with a fantastic ooey-gooey “cheesy yum” ricotta and mozzarella topping! Italian sausage gives it so much flavor, met with a rich tomato broth. You can make it on the stovetop or in a crockpot. It’s the ORIGINAL lasagna soup recipe to hit the internet, and still the BEST!
THE Lasagna Soup Recipe That Started It All.
I first shared this soup recipe way back in March 2011, before any other lasagna soup recipes appeared on the internet. And over the years I’ve received hundreds of reader’s comments — I hear over and over again that this recipe is their favorite version. Whenever someone asks me to recommend a recipe that’ll please the whole family, I point them straight to this one!
Because, seriously, who doesn’t welcome lasagna’s bold flavors, variety of textures, and big-long-hug kind of comfort?
The “cheesy yum” adds a ton of delicious fun to this recipe. Our family coined this term for the 3-cheese mixture of ricotta, Parm, and mozzarella that gets dolloped into individual bowls of soup. We love how the hot soup broth melts the cheesy yum and offers a creamy, gooey, comforting lasagna-like experience in every spoonful.
Another thing that’s key is that I use Italian sausage because it adds a big boost of savory flavor and incredible texture. I’ve tested this recipe using other proteins, and they just don’t measure up.
And while it’s not a deal-breaker for this soup, I hold a special place in my heart for anyone who uses mafalda pasta — it’s shaped like mini lasagna noodles (adorable!), and I never make lasagna soup without it!
When this soup is on the menu, my family insists on cheesy garlic bread for dipping. And if we invite friends and family to join us, I add a big bowl of Italian chopped salad. Besides a good amount of fresh ingredients, it has slices of salami, provolone, and black olives – and the zippiest Italian vinaigrette that everyone loves!
If we’re lucky enough to leftovers, it’s truly a win-win situation. Because leftover lasagna soup is even more amazing the next day, after the flavors have had extra time to mingle.
“I have been making this lasagna soup since 2011-2012, so for a long time. It is a family favorite for sure! It really is the best lasagna soup!”
Stephanie
Here’s My Simple Method:
I am not a fan of mushy noodles!
So I cook the noodles separately. Otherwise, the noodles keep absorbing the broth as the soup simmers, which makes them overly soft and can cause them to break down.
Plus, any leftover soup reheats much better if noodles are stored separately. Noodles require very little time to reheat, and heating them separately keeps them perfectly tender and chewy.
But if you plan to serve the soup right away and think you’ll eat most of it in that first meal (with little to no leftovers), it works great to cook the noodles right in the hot soup!
Just add the noodles during the simmering time – they should cook in 10 to 15 minutes, but it will depend on the temperature of your soup and the type of pasta you are using.
Whatever you do, do NOT let the soup simmer for a long period of time with the noodles.
Lasagna Soup with Cheesy Yum (stovetop or crockpot)
Ingredients
Soup:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds bulk Italian sausage
- 1 extra-large yellow onion, chopped (about 3 cups chopped)
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste (add more for even deeper tomato flavor)
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 8 ounces mafalda pasta (fusilli and farfalle are also good options)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced sliced thinly
Cheesy Yum:
- 8 ounces full-fat ricotta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (See my mozzarella tip in Notes below)
Instructions
- Soup: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and brown for 3 minutes, breaking it up into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Add onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and cook until onion is softened and sausage is browned, about 7 more minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Bring just to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a separate saucepan according to package directions, just to al dente. Do not over-cook. Drain.
- Cheesy Yum: In a medium bowl, create the "cheesy yum" by combining the ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Serve: Stir fresh basil into soup right before serving. Then add cooked pasta to individual bowls and ladle soup over the top. Serve with dollops of cheesy yum, plus additional shredded mozzarella, if desired, over the top.
CROCK-POT DIRECTIONS:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Once hot, add sausage and brown for 3 minutes, breaking it up into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon. (*If you have a multi-cooker, set it to BROWN/SAUTE and add the oil. Once hot, add sausage and brown for 3 minutes, breaking it up into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon.)
- Add onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and cook until onion is softened and sausage is browned, about 7 more minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Transfer sausage mixture to slow cooker (or just proceed if using a multi-cooker) and add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Cover and set slow cooker to low 8 hours or high 4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before soup is ready, add pasta to slow cooker. Cover and cook until pasta is just al dente, checking after 15 minutes. (If you plan to let the soup sit for awhile before serving or are planning on leftovers, I strongly recommend cooking the pasta separately to avoid mushy noodles.)
Video
Notes
- Refrigerator: Store the soup, cooked pasta, and cheesy yum in separate containers in the refrigerator. Do not combine the soup and pasta together, as the noodles will absorb most of the soup broth and become soft and mushy. I also like to drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta after it has drained, and then fold gently to coat. This helps keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Freezer: This soup freezes very well. Store the soup, pasta, and cheesy yum portions separately in the freezer. Let everything thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to preparing it for the next meal.
- Microwave: Place desired amount of pasta in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap, leaving one corner slightly open to allow steam to escape. Heat on medium power to prevent overcooking. Heating time will vary depending on the amount of pasta you are reheating, but for 1 to 2 cups of pasta, start with 30 seconds. Give a stir and then microwave in shorter intervals, stirring in-between, until hot.
- Stovetop: Bring some water to a boil in a sauce pan. Be sure to use enough water to sufficiently cover the amount of pasta you are reheating. When the water comes to a full boil, add the leftover pasta and give a good stir. Boil for 30 seconds and then test to see if the noodles are hot. If needed, add time in 15-second intervals, until sufficiently heated. Remember that the pasta has already been cooked, and only needs to be reheated. Do not overcook or it will become mushy. Then drain the noodles.
This is probably my FAVORITE meal of the year. I see it making a regular appearance, especially when it gets cold outside. YUM. Featuring it on my blog link party this week. Thank you for this amazing recipe!!! Please link up with me if you get a chance!
Thank you so much, Becky – I’m so glad you liked this soup, too!
I LOVE this soup–have made it several times for family, and every time, it is a hit! Want to make it tonight, but I dont have any tomatoes, and I usually blend them first anyways because my hubby doesn’t like tomato chunks–so, here’s a question–do you think I could sub a jar of really good spaghetti sauce for the tomatoes? I know that sounds kind of awful, but I wonder how far off it would actually be from puréed tomatoes that I usually do. ? What do you think?
Thanks!
Megan
I think it would still be good, Megan. Just a little different. So glad you like this soup, too!
I just used spagetti sauce today in place of tomato sauce for a stuffed pepper soup and it was awesome.
@Becky (or anyone else who could answer), I’m faced with a similar situation of cooking for those who have texture issues (ie no tomato chunks). If I have use my (as of yet unused) immersion blender, would that blend the fire roasted tomatoes enough for them to be smooth? Or would it be better to perhaps use a tomato sauce?
Shoot sorry, I meant Megan (or Brenda!)
I use an immersion blender to make tomato soup from canned tomatoes all the time. I can’t see how this would be any different!
I have the same issue with my kids not liking chunks of tomatoes in the soup, so I use crushed canned tomatoes instead of diced canned tomatoes.. Tastes the same, just instead of large chunks you get tiny bits.. Yumm!
You could also use a can of crushed tomatoes, instead of diced!! We do that all the time :-)
Great recipe!!
Julia
Thank you, Julia!
I am 14 years old and I love pinterest and all of the great recipes because I love to cook and bake. This recipe was so easy to make and so delicious!! My whole family loved it and is definitely going to be a regular meal from now on! It tastes just like lasagna which was a surprise to me! Thanks for the great idea!
I was just gonna make lasagna tonight, but this is even better! thanks for sharing!
Hope you like it, too! :)
I just found this recipe on Pinterest and yum! Looking forward to browsing through your blog! – Kathryn
I hope you like it, too! :)
I was wondering about freezing if… I could use a ice tray to keep the cheese seperate but can I freeze plain noodles? I am a freezer nut for easy lunches… Please advise
I just made this for dinner! OMG, I love it!! It’s so yummy and filling too! Thank you for the recipe! Will be cooking this from time to time from now on LOL.
I saw this recipe on Pinterest, and it looked like a winner. I was not disappointed after I made it tonight for dinner. Both my kids AND my husband loved it. The kids actually gave me applause after dinner! Thanks for sharing the fab recipe.
A
Yes, it’s hot outside. Yes, I even live in Florida…but omg was this soup ever tasty! If you are considering making it, pinning it, printing it, whatever…do it now!!!! A fantastic recipe, followed as written. Thanks for sharing…
this was amazing!!!! i used smoked sausage instead and it was awesome. my 50 pound 3rd grader who eats NOTHING lol just ate 3 bowls!!! your awesome i love you lol!!!
Im not a big soup person but this has to be by far the BEST soup ive ever tasted.. MUST TRY!!
amazing! will definitely share on my facebook page!
P.S. Your photography is stunning!
Thank you, Dawn. So glad you and your husband liked the soup, too!
This is pretty much the best soup I have ever had. My husband could not stop raving about it. (In fact I just heard him say it again in the other room!) Thank you Pinterest for pointing me your way!
love to taste the flavors in this soup..
This dish was hit. My children just loved it. Thank you for sharing you recipe with us.
I made this tonight and LOVED IT. I didn’t change anything about the recipe and found it to be so so flavorful. Thank you for sharing :)
this recipe is amazing! Ive made it a few times now and it’s received rave reviews. I really love your blog.
xoxo
So nice to hear from you, Barbie – so glad you liked this soup, too – and thanks for your kind words about my site!
Hi,
I am a vegetarian and I really want to try this recipe. I would be thankful if anyone can suggest which vegetables to replace the italian sausage with.
Hello Anna – I know many people have made this and left the meat out. Really, just use the veggies in the recipe, plus any others that you especially like.
Thanks a ton Brenda :)
hi Brenda!
thank you so much for sharing this recipe – i made it tonight for the first time and it’s delish! one of the best soups i’ve ever had.
: )
Lisa
So happy you liked it, too! :)