Making the viral Lasagna Soup!! (We couldn’t recreate it if we tried 😂)

Making the viral Lasagna Soup!! (We couldn’t recreate it if we tried 😂) is a easy Italian-American recipe that serves 4. 460 calories per serving. Recipe by Josh & Momma on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 41 min | Total: 1 hr 16 min

Cost: $16.35 total, $4.09 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef (90% lean, fresh)
  • 0.5 Yellow Onion (Medium, peeled and diced)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (For sautéing)
  • 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste (Small can or tube)
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes (Canned, whole peeled)
  • 4 cups Chicken Stock (Low‑sodium)
  • 8 oz Lasagna Noodles (Broken into 1‑inch pieces)
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream (Full‑fat)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Basil (Chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp Parsley Flakes (Dried)
  • 1 Tbsp Oregano (Dried)
  • 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning (Dried blend)
  • 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional for heat)
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded, low‑moisture)
  • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Full‑fat)
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated)
  • to taste Salt (Sea salt)
  • to taste Black Pepper (Freshly ground)

Instructions

  1. Prep Vegetables

    Dice the half onion and mince the garlic cloves on a cutting board.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Brown the Ground Beef

    Heat the large stockpot over medium‑high heat, add olive oil, then add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  3. Drain Excess Grease

    Using a ladle, carefully remove about half of the rendered fat from the pot, leaving the rest for flavor.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Sauté Onion and Garlic

    Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium

  5. Incorporate Tomato Paste

    Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about two minutes to deepen its flavor.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium

  6. Add Tomatoes and Stock

    Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken stock. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: High

  7. Season the Soup

    Add fresh basil, parsley flakes, oregano, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

    Time: PT1M

  8. Cook the Noodles

    Break the lasagna noodles into roughly 1‑inch pieces and add them to the simmering broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Medium‑low

  9. Prepare Cheese Balls

    In a mixing bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, ricotta, grated Parmesan, and a pinch of the dried herbs. Mix until just combined, then roll the mixture into 1‑inch balls.

    Time: PT10M

  10. Add Cream

    Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy whipping cream. Heat through without boiling.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: Low

  11. Melt Cheese Balls

    Gently drop the cheese balls into the soup. Let them sit for a few minutes to soften and melt slightly, stirring very gently.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Low

  12. Serve

    Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
460
Protein
28g
Carbohydrates
35g
Fat
22g
Fiber
4g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains gluten, Contains dairy

Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Beef

Last updated: April 14, 2026

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Making the viral Lasagna Soup!! (We couldn’t recreate it if we tried 😂)

Recipe by Josh & Momma

A hearty one‑pot Italian‑American lasagna soup packed with ground beef, tomatoes, broken lasagna noodles, and rich cheese balls. Perfect for a comforting dinner that tastes like classic lasagna but is lighter and quicker to make.

EasyItalian-AmericanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
25m
Prep
33m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 8m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$16.35
Total cost
$4.09
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Draining excess grease from the browned beef
  • Cooking the noodles to al dente without over‑cooking
  • Forming and adding the cheese balls at the end

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot pot with oven mitts to avoid burns.
  • Ensure ground beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  • When draining grease, tilt the pot carefully to avoid splashing hot fat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Creamy Lasagna Soup in Italian‑American cuisine?

A

Lasagna soup is a modern American twist on traditional Italian lasagna, created to capture the comforting flavors of layered pasta, meat, and cheese in a quick, one‑pot format. It reflects the Italian‑American tradition of adapting classic dishes for busy households while keeping the heart‑warming essence of the original.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of lasagna soup in Italian‑American cooking?

A

While the classic version uses ground beef, tomato sauce, and mozzarella, some regions add Italian sausage, use chicken broth instead of stock, or incorporate different cheeses like provolone. In the Southwest, a spicy version may include chipotle peppers, whereas a New England take might add cream cheese for extra richness.

cultural
Q

How is Creamy Lasagna Soup traditionally served in Italian‑American families?

A

It is typically ladled into deep bowls, topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan and a few fresh basil leaves, and served alongside crusty garlic bread or a simple green salad. The cheese balls are often placed whole on top so diners can watch them melt into the broth.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Creamy Lasagna Soup traditionally associated with in Italian‑American culture?

A

Because it is hearty yet quick, lasagna soup is popular for family weeknight dinners, pot‑luck gatherings, and casual holiday meals such as Thanksgiving leftovers or Christmas Eve comfort food. Its one‑pot nature makes it ideal for feeding a crowd with minimal cleanup.

cultural
Q

What authentic traditional ingredients are essential for Creamy Lasagna Soup versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include ground beef, crushed tomatoes, lasagna noodles, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and fresh herbs like basil. Acceptable substitutes are ground turkey for beef, penne for broken lasagna noodles, and half‑and‑half or coconut milk for heavy cream, though flavor and texture will vary slightly.

cultural
Q

What other Italian‑American dishes pair well with Creamy Lasagna Soup?

A

Pair it with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, garlic‑butter breadsticks, or a classic Caesar salad. For a fuller meal, serve alongside roasted vegetables such as broccoli rabe or sautéed zucchini.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Creamy Lasagna Soup?

A

Common errors include over‑draining the beef fat (which removes flavor), cooking the noodles too long (making them mushy), and adding the heavy cream at a high boil (causing curdling). Follow the timing steps and keep the soup at a gentle simmer after the cream is added.

technical
Q

Why does this Creamy Lasagna Soup recipe use cheese balls instead of simply stirring in shredded cheese?

A

Cheese balls create pockets of molten cheese that melt slowly, giving bursts of creamy texture throughout the soup. This technique mimics the layered cheese experience of traditional lasagna while keeping the broth clear and preventing clumping that can happen with shredded cheese added directly.

technical
Q

Can I make Creamy Lasagna Soup ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Store the soup base (without cream and cheese balls) in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. Add the cream and cheese balls when reheating, and they will melt beautifully.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the noodles are done in Creamy Lasagna Soup?

A

The noodles should be tender yet still have a slight bite (al dente) and should have swelled to about twice their original size, floating freely in a thick, ruby‑red broth. The broth should coat the noodles without being watery.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Josh & Momma specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Josh & Momma specializes in fun, family‑focused cooking videos where Josh and his mother tackle a wide range of comfort‑food recipes, often adding playful commentary and improvisation while keeping the dishes approachable for home cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Josh & Momma's approach to Italian‑American cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

Josh & Momma blend casual, real‑time family interaction with step‑by‑step guidance, emphasizing improvisation and honest reactions to ingredient challenges. Unlike highly polished tutorial channels, they showcase genuine trial‑and‑error, making the cooking process feel relatable and encouraging viewers to experiment.

channel

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