Viral lasagna soup
Viral lasagna soup is a easy Italian-American recipe that serves 4. 560 calories per serving. Recipe by Grillin With Dad on YouTube.
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 40 min | Total: 1 hr 5 min
Cost: $19.55 total, $4.89 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 0.5 lb Italian Sausage (removed from casing, mild or spicy)
- 0.5 lb Ground Beef (80% lean)
- 1 jar (24 oz) Marinara Sauce (store‑bought or homemade)
- 5 cups Beef Broth (low‑sodium preferred)
- 8 oz Lasagna Noodles (broken into bite‑size pieces)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Basil (chopped)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped, for topping)
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
Prep Aromatics
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Set aside.
Time: PT5M
Sauté Onion
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium heat
Add Garlic and Seasoning
Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: Medium heat
Brown the Meat
Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to the pot. Break the meat apart with the spoon and sear until fully browned, about 8 minutes.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: Medium‑high heat
Add Sauce and Broth
Pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Low boil
Cook the Noodles
Break the lasagna noodles into bite‑size pieces and add them to the pot. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: Simmer
Finish with Cream and Cheese
Stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh basil. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the soup to become creamy.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium heat
Prepare Ricotta Topping
In a small mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, a handful of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
Time: PT5M
Plate and Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, add a generous scoop of the ricotta mixture on top, and garnish with extra fresh parsley.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 560
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 45g
- Fat
- 30g
- Fiber
- 3g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains dairy, Contains gluten, Not vegetarian, Not vegan
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Olive Oil: Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil
- Instead of Yellow Onion: White Onion
- Instead of Garlic: Garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Instead of Italian Seasoning: Dried oregano + dried basil (½ tsp each)
- Instead of Tomato Paste: Crushed tomatoes (¼ cup)
- Instead of Italian Sausage: Chorizo, Ground pork
- Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey, Ground chicken
- Instead of Marinara Sauce: Homemade tomato sauce
- Instead of Beef Broth: Chicken broth, Vegetable broth
- Instead of Lasagna Noodles: Any short pasta (penne, rigatoni)
- Instead of Heavy Cream: Half‑and‑half (less rich)
- Instead of Mozzarella Cheese: Provolone, Monterey Jack
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano
- Instead of Fresh Basil: Dried basil (1 tsp)
- Instead of Ricotta Cheese: Cottage cheese (drained)
- Instead of Fresh Parsley: Dried parsley (1 tsp)
- Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
Equipment Needed
- Large Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Ladle
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Cheese Grater (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Browning the sausage and ground beef until fully caramelized.
- Cooking the broken lasagna noodles just until tender, not mushy.
- Adding heavy cream and cheese off a rolling boil to avoid curdling.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Break the lasagna noodles before adding them so they cook evenly and fit nicely in the bowl.
- Use a high‑quality marinara sauce for deeper flavor; Carbone’s brand works well.
- Finish the soup with a splash of extra‑virgin olive oil for a glossy finish.
Troubleshooting
Noodles become mushy.
Reduce simmer time; check noodles at 12 minutes and remove the pot from heat as soon as they are al dente.
Soup looks grainy after adding cream.
Lower the heat before adding cream and stir continuously; avoid a rapid boil.
Soup is too thick.
Add additional beef broth or water, a quarter cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store soup in an airtight container for 3‑4 days. Keep ricotta topping separate and add when reheating.
Freezer: Freeze soup (without ricotta) in freezer‑safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the ricotta mixture up to 2 hours ahead and keep refrigerated.
- Soup can be made a day ahead; reheat gently over low heat and stir in fresh cheese before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of lasagna soup in Italian‑American cuisine?
Lasagna soup is a modern, comfort‑food twist on traditional Italian lasagna, created by Italian‑American home cooks who wanted a quicker, one‑pot version. It blends classic lasagna flavors—meat, tomato, cheese, and herbs—with a broth base, making it popular for casual family meals and cold‑weather gatherings.
What regional variations of lasagna soup exist within Italian‑American cooking?
Some regions add spicy Italian sausage or pepperoncini for heat, while others swap beef broth for chicken broth or use ricotta‑free toppings. In the Southwest, corn and poblano peppers are sometimes incorporated, creating a fusion twist.
How is lasagna soup traditionally served in Italian‑American households?
It is typically ladled into deep bowls, topped with a dollop of ricotta‑cheese mixture, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Crusty garlic bread or a simple side salad often accompanies the soup.
During which occasions or celebrations is lasagna soup commonly enjoyed in Italian‑American culture?
Because it’s hearty and quick, lasagna soup is a favorite for family game nights, holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving leftovers, and casual weekend dinners. Its one‑pot nature makes it ideal for pot‑luck events.
What makes lasagna soup special or unique compared to traditional lasagna in Italian‑American cuisine?
The soup transforms layered pasta into a broth‑based dish, delivering the same flavor profile with a lighter texture. It also reduces cooking time dramatically and eliminates the need for baking, while still offering the creamy cheese topping that defines lasagna.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for lasagna soup versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include Italian sausage, ground beef, marinara sauce, beef broth, broken lasagna noodles, heavy cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, fresh basil, and parsley. Acceptable substitutes are ground turkey for beef, chicken broth for beef broth, half‑and‑half for heavy cream, and cottage cheese for ricotta.
What other Italian‑American dishes pair well with lasagna soup?
Serve it alongside a crisp Caesar salad, garlic‑buttered focaccia, or roasted vegetable medley. A glass of Chianti or a light Italian red complements the rich, cheesy broth.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making lasagna soup?
Common errors include overcooking the noodles until they turn mushy, letting the soup boil vigorously after adding cream (which can cause curdling), and not browning the meat enough, which reduces depth of flavor.
Why does this lasagna soup recipe use heavy cream instead of milk?
Heavy cream adds richness and helps the cheese melt smoothly into the broth without separating. Milk would thin the soup and could cause the cheese to clump, resulting in a less velvety texture.
What does the YouTube channel Grillin With Dad specialize in?
The YouTube channel Grillin With Dad focuses on family‑friendly, outdoor‑cooking tutorials, especially grilling, one‑pot meals, and comfort food recipes that dads can easily make for the whole family.
Last updated: September 3, 2026
