Italian‑American cuisine often adapts classic pasta dishes into soups for comfort and convenience. Lasagna soup blends the layered flavors of traditional lasagna—sausage, tomato, cheese, and herbs—into a single‑pot meal that became popular in the United States during the mid‑20th century as families sought quick, hearty dishes.

In the Northeast, many cooks use ground beef or pork instead of sausage and add ricotta instead of cottage cheese. In the Southwest, a spicy chorizo version with jalapeños and corn is common. Some families also swap marinara for a creamy Alfredo base for a richer twist.

It is typically ladled into deep bowls, topped with a dollop of the cheesy mixture or extra grated Parmesan, and served alongside crusty garlic‑herb bread or a slice of toasted Italian bread to soak up the broth.

Lasagna soup is a favorite for cold‑weather family gatherings, holiday pot‑lucks, and casual weekend meals. Its one‑pot nature makes it ideal for feeding a crowd during Thanksgiving leftovers or Christmas Eve celebrations.

The soup captures the layered flavor profile of lasagna—savory sausage, aromatic herbs, tomato base, and a creamy cheese blend—while offering the comforting, spoon‑friendly texture of a soup. The addition of a cottage‑cheese mixture creates a velvety richness not found in traditional broth‑only soups.

Common errors include not breaking the lasagna noodles small enough (they can become clumpy), over‑cooking the noodles so they turn mushy, and adding the cheese mixture while the soup is still boiling, which can cause curdling. Also, failing to remove excess sausage grease can make the broth greasy.

Cottage cheese provides a similar mild, creamy texture to ricotta but is more affordable and readily available in most U.S. grocery stores. It also blends smoothly when stirred into the hot soup, creating a silky finish without the grainy texture some ricottas can have.

Yes, the soup can be prepared up to two days in advance. Cool it quickly, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if it has thickened. The cheesy mixture can be mixed in just before serving to keep the texture creamy.

The broth should be rich and slightly thickened from the cheese, with the broken noodles fully softened but still holding shape. You should see a glossy surface with flecks of herbs and melted cheese, and the soup should coat the back of a spoon.

The YouTube channel Julia Pacheco specializes in family‑friendly, budget‑conscious comfort food recipes, especially hearty soups, stews, and one‑pot meals that are easy to prepare and perfect for busy households.

Julia Pacheco focuses on practical, everyday meals using accessible ingredients and emphasizes making multiple dishes in a single pot to save time and cleanup. Her style blends classic Italian‑American flavors with a modern, budget‑savvy twist, unlike many channels that prioritize gourmet presentation over simplicity.