9 BEST Cheap & Easy Soups ANYONE Can Make

9 BEST Cheap & Easy Soups ANYONE Can Make is a easy Italian-American recipe that serves 6. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Julia Pacheco on YouTube.

Prep: 14 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 54 min

Cost: $16.29 total, $2.72 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage (spicy or sweet, removed from casing if possible)
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion (diced)
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 2 teaspoons Tomato Paste
  • 24 ounces Marinara Sauce (jarred or canned)
  • 7 cups Chicken Broth (low‑sodium preferred)
  • 9 pieces Lasagna Noodles (broken into bite‑size pieces)
  • 1 cup Cottage Cheese (full‑fat for creaminess)
  • 0.5 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
  • 4 slices Garlic‑Herb French Bread (store‑bought, sliced)
  • as needed Olive Oil Spray (for brushing bread before broiling)

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients

    Dice the yellow onion, break the lasagna noodles into bite‑size pieces, and measure out all spices, tomato paste, and cheeses.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Brown Sausage & Onion

    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium‑high heat. Add the Italian sausage (crumbled) and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is fully browned and the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Remove excess grease with a paper towel.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  3. Add Aromatics & Tomato Base

    Stir in dried parsley, oregano, basil, tomato paste, and the marinara sauce. Cook for 2 minutes to meld flavors.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: medium

  4. Add Broth and Noodles

    Pour in 7 cups chicken (or veggie) broth, then add the broken lasagna noodles. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.

    Time: PT13M

    Temperature: medium

  5. Prepare Cheesy Mixture

    In a mixing bowl combine 1 cup cottage cheese, ½ cup shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Finish Soup with Cheese

    When the noodles are tender, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the cheesy mixture until fully incorporated, creating a creamy texture.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Toast Garlic‑Herb French Bread

    Arrange the French bread slices on a baking sheet. Lightly spray with olive oil spray, sprinkle a little extra Parmesan, and broil on high for 1–2 minutes until golden and crisp.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: broil

  8. Serve

    Ladle soup into bowls, top each with a generous spoonful of the cheesy mixture (if not already fully stirred in), and place a piece of toasted garlic‑herb French bread on the side.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
22 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
16 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains wheat

Allergens: Dairy, Gluten

Last updated: April 11, 2026

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9 BEST Cheap & Easy Soups ANYONE Can Make

Recipe by Julia Pacheco

A comforting, one‑pot lasagna soup packed with Italian sausage, broken lasagna noodles, and a rich cheesy mixture. Perfect for cold winter days, this soup delivers all the flavors of classic lasagna in a warm, spoon‑friendly bowl.

EasyItalian-AmericanServes 6

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

Source Video
15m
Prep
23m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
48m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$16.29
Total cost
$2.72
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Break lasagna noodles into small pieces before adding to the pot.
  • Remove excess sausage grease to avoid an overly oily broth.
  • Stir in the cheesy mixture off the heat to keep the soup creamy.
  • Watch the French bread closely while broiling to prevent burning.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle hot oil and boiling broth with care to avoid burns.
  • Use oven mitts when broiling the bread; the broiler gets extremely hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

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

A

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.

cultural
Q

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

A

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.

cultural
Q

How is lasagna soup traditionally served in Italian‑American households?

A

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.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is lasagna soup traditionally associated with in Italian‑American culture?

A

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.

cultural
Q

What makes Italian Sausage Lasagna Soup special or unique in Italian‑American cuisine?

A

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.

cultural
Q

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

A

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.

technical
Q

Why does this lasagna soup recipe use cottage cheese in the cheesy mixture instead of ricotta?

A

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.

technical
Q

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

A

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.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the lasagna soup is done?

A

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.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Julia Pacheco specialize in?

A

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.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Julia Pacheco's approach to Italian‑American cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

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.

channel

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