Homemade Lasagna Soup
Homemade Lasagna Soup is a easy Italian recipe that serves 6. 940 calories per serving. Recipe by The Stay At Home Chef on YouTube.
Prep: 12 min | Cook: 42 min | Total: 1 hr 4 min
Cost: $25.55 total, $4.26 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Italian Sausage (Choose mild or hot; remove excess grease after browning)
- 1 medium Onion (Diced)
- 5 cloves Garlic (Finely minced)
- 4 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth (Can use homemade or store‑bought)
- 15 ounce can Tomato Sauce (Plain tomato sauce)
- 30 ounce cans Diced Tomatoes (Two 15‑ounce cans; fire‑roasted optional for extra flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning (Divided: 1 tbsp for soup, 1 tbsp for cheese topping)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground preferred)
- 2 pieces Bay Leaves (Whole; remove before serving)
- 8 ounces Lasagna Noodles (Broken into 4‑5 pieces each)
- 16 ounce Ricotta Cheese (Full‑fat, room temperature)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded; low‑moisture preferred)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated)
Instructions
Brown the Italian Sausage
Heat the large pot over medium‑high heat and add the 2 lb of Italian sausage. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned, about 9 minutes. Spoon out any excess grease.
Time: PT9M
Sauté the Onion
Add the diced medium onion to the pot with the sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Add Garlic
Stir in the 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Time: PT2M
Build the Soup Base
Pour in 4 cups low‑sodium beef broth, the 15 oz can of tomato sauce, and the two 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes. Add 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 bay leaves. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over low heat.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: low
Cook the Lasagna Noodles
Break the lasagna noodles into 4‑5 piece sections and add them to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: medium
Prepare the Cheesy Topping
While the noodles finish cooking, combine 16 oz ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 tbsp Italian seasoning in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth.
Time: PT2M
Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous spoonful of the ricotta‑mozzarella‑Parmesan mixture. Serve immediately while hot.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 940
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 80g
- Fat
- 50g
- Fiber
- 5g
Dietary info: High‑protein, Can be made gluten‑free with GF pasta, Can be made vegetarian by substituting sausage with plant‑based sausage
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Pork
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Italian Sausage: Ground pork, Ground beef, Turkey sausage
- Instead of Onion: Shallot, Yellow onion
- Instead of Garlic: Pre‑minced garlic, Garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Instead of Low Sodium Beef Broth: Low sodium chicken broth, Vegetable broth
- Instead of Tomato Sauce: Crushed tomatoes (1 cup), Marinara sauce
- Instead of Diced Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes (3 cups), Crushed tomatoes
- Instead of Italian Seasoning: Dried oregano, basil, thyme blend
- Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
- Instead of Bay Leaves: Dried thyme (½ tsp)
- Instead of Lasagna Noodles: Penne, Rigatoni, Gluten‑free lasagna noodles
- Instead of Ricotta Cheese: Cottage cheese
- Instead of Mozzarella Cheese: Provolone, Cheddar
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Ladle
- Box Grater
- Fine Mesh Strainer (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked
- Simmer the broth with tomatoes and seasonings for flavor development
- Cook the lasagna noodles al dente
- Prepare the ricotta‑mozzarella‑Parmesan topping
- Serve the soup hot with the cheesy topping
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use fire‑roasted diced tomatoes for a smoky depth
- Crumble the sausage while cooking for a finer texture
- Finish with a drizzle of extra‑virgin olive oil and fresh basil for brightness
Troubleshooting
Soup is too salty
Reduce the amount of added salt or use low‑sodium broth; add a splash of water to balance.
Noodles become mushy
Cook noodles separately and add them to the soup just before serving, or reduce cooking time.
Cheese topping is watery
Drain excess liquid from ricotta with a fine mesh strainer before mixing.
Soup is too thick
Stir in additional broth or water until desired consistency is reached.
Soup is too thin
Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce, or add a handful of cooked noodles to thicken.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store soup (without cheese topping) in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep cheese mixture separate and add fresh when reheating.
Freezer: Freeze soup (no noodles or cheese) in freezer‑safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, then add freshly cooked noodles and topping.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cook the lasagna noodles separately, rinse, and store in the fridge; add to soup just before serving
- Prepare the cheese topping up to 2 days ahead and keep refrigerated
- Soup reheats well on the stove; add fresh topping after reheating
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Homemade Lasagna Soup in Italian‑American cuisine?
Lasagna soup is a modern twist on the classic Italian comfort dish, created by Italian‑American home cooks who wanted the rich, layered flavors of lasagna in a quicker, one‑pot format. It reflects the tradition of adapting hearty pasta dishes into soups for busy families while preserving the beloved cheese and meat components.
What are the traditional regional variations of lasagna soup in Italian cuisine?
While lasagna soup itself is not a historic Italian dish, regional Italian soups such as pasta e fagioli or minestrone often feature similar ingredients. Some cooks add regional cheeses like pecorino or incorporate spicy Calabrian sausage for a southern Italian flair.
How is Homemade Lasagna Soup traditionally served in Italian‑American households?
It is typically served hot in deep bowls, topped with a generous spoonful of a ricotta‑mozzarella‑Parmesan mixture. Many families finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and crusty garlic bread on the side.
What occasions or celebrations is Homemade Lasagna Soup associated with in Italian‑American culture?
The soup is popular for casual family dinners, game‑day gatherings, and as a comforting meal during colder months. Its one‑pot nature makes it ideal for pot‑luck events and holiday leftovers.
How does Homemade Lasagna Soup fit into the broader Italian‑American cuisine tradition?
It embodies the Italian‑American love for hearty, cheese‑laden dishes while embracing convenience. The use of Italian sausage, tomato‑based broth, and lasagna noodles mirrors classic lasagna, yet the soup format reflects the American trend toward quick, family‑friendly meals.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Homemade Lasagna Soup versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional ingredients include Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, lasagna noodles, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Acceptable substitutes are turkey or plant‑based sausage, cottage cheese for ricotta, gluten‑free pasta, and fire‑roasted tomatoes for added flavor.
What other Italian‑American dishes pair well with Homemade Lasagna Soup?
Serve it alongside a simple Caesar salad, garlic‑butter focaccia, or a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. A glass of Chianti or a light Italian white wine complements the rich flavors.
What makes Homemade Lasagna Soup special or unique in Italian‑American cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in delivering the layered taste of lasagna in a soup form, allowing the cheese topping to melt into the broth, creating a creamy, comforting texture that’s both familiar and novel.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Homemade Lasagna Soup?
Common errors include overcooking the noodles so they become mushy, not removing excess sausage grease which makes the broth greasy, and adding the cheese topping too early, causing it to melt completely instead of staying creamy.
Why does this Homemade Lasagna Soup recipe use lasagna noodles instead of other pasta shapes?
Lasagna noodles break into broad, flat strips that mimic the layers of traditional lasagna, providing a heartier bite and better absorption of the rich tomato‑broth, which enhances the authentic lasagna feel.
Can I make Homemade Lasagna Soup ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can prepare the soup base and cheese topping up to two days ahead. Store the soup (without noodles and topping) in the refrigerator, and keep the cheese mixture separate. Reheat, add freshly cooked noodles, and stir in the topping just before serving.
What does the YouTube channel The Stay At Home Chef specialize in?
The Stay At Home Chef focuses on approachable, home‑cooked comfort food recipes that require minimal equipment and time, often turning classic restaurant dishes into easy‑to‑make meals for everyday cooks.
How does the YouTube channel The Stay At Home Chef's approach to Italian cooking differ from other Italian cooking channels?
The Stay At Home Chef emphasizes quick, one‑pot adaptations of traditional Italian dishes, prioritizing simplicity and ingredient accessibility over elaborate techniques, whereas many other Italian channels focus on authentic regional methods and longer preparation times.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
