The Ultimate Fall Comfort Food: Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
The Ultimate Fall Comfort Food: Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe is a easy Italian-American recipe that serves 6. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by That Savage Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 42 min | Total: 1 hr 7 min
Cost: $26.78 total, $4.46 per serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Ground Beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 lb Ground Italian Sausage (spicy or mild, removed from casing if needed)
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin recommended)
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic (roughly chopped)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/4 tsp Red Chili Flakes (optional for heat)
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste (smooth)
- 24 oz Tomato Sauce (plain or seasoned)
- 4 cup Beef Stock (low‑sodium)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (full‑fat for richness)
- 8 oz Small Pasta (ditalini or broken lasagna noodles) (uncooked)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (full‑fat)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Basil (chopped, for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp Additional Parmesan Cheese (for topping)
- to taste Additional Red Chili Flakes (for garnish)
Instructions
Brown the Meat
Heat the large pot over medium‑high heat, add the ground beef and ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
Time: PT7M
Temperature: medium‑high
Sauté Aromatics
Push the cooked meat to the side, add olive oil to the empty space, then add the diced onion and chopped garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and the mixture is fragrant.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: medium
Season and Add Tomato Paste
Stir the browned meat back into the aromatics. Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red chili flakes. Add tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring to coat the meat.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium
Add Liquids and Bring to Boil
Pour in the tomato sauce, beef stock, and heavy cream. Stir to combine, then increase heat and bring the soup to a rolling boil.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: high
Prepare Cheese Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and a pinch of red chili flakes. Mix until evenly combined.
Time: PT5M
Cook Pasta in Soup
Add the uncooked pasta to the boiling soup. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 17‑18 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the soup has thickened slightly.
Time: PT18M
Temperature: low
Finish and Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls, dollop the prepared cheese mixture on top, sprinkle with additional Parmesan, chopped fresh basil, and extra red chili flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: hot
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 18g
- Fiber
- 2g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains gluten, Contains dairy
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey, Ground chicken
- Instead of Ground Italian Sausage: Ground pork with Italian seasoning, Ground turkey sausage
- Instead of Olive Oil: vegetable oil, canola oil
- Instead of Onion: shallot
- Instead of Garlic: garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Instead of Italian Seasoning: dried basil and oregano blend
- Instead of Red Chili Flakes: hot sauce
- Instead of Tomato Paste: tomato sauce (extra 2 Tbsp)
- Instead of Tomato Sauce: crushed tomatoes (1 cup)
- Instead of Beef Stock: chicken stock, vegetable stock
- Instead of Heavy Cream: half‑and‑half, whole milk + butter
- Instead of Small Pasta (ditalini or broken lasagna noodles): orzo, small shells
- Instead of Ricotta Cheese: cottage cheese (drained)
- Instead of Mozzarella Cheese: provolone
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano
- Instead of Fresh Basil: dried basil (1 tsp)
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cup
- Ladle
- Mixing Bowl
- Grater (optional)
- Soup Ladle (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Browning the meat fully to develop flavor
- Allowing the tomato paste to cook briefly before adding liquids
- Cooking the pasta directly in the soup until al dente without over‑cooking
Chef Tips from the Video
- For extra smoky flavor, use a mix of half beef and half pork sausage.
- Add a splash of red wine with the tomato sauce for depth.
Troubleshooting
Soup is too thick after pasta cooks
Add a splash of beef stock or water and stir until desired consistency is reached.
Pasta is mushy
Reduce cooking time by 2‑3 minutes next time or use al dente pasta shapes.
Soup tastes bland
Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of extra Italian seasoning.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer‑safe container for up to 2 months; reheat and add a splash of milk or cream if needed.
Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the ricotta‑mozzarella‑Parmesan cheese mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate.
- Soup can be made a day ahead; reheat gently and add a splash of cream if it looks thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Lasagna Soup in Italian‑American cuisine?
Lasagna Soup is a modern comfort‑food adaptation that emerged in Italian‑American households, especially in the Midwest, as a way to enjoy the flavors of classic lasagna in a quicker, one‑pot format. It reflects the tradition of stretching pasta dishes to feed larger families during colder months.
What are the traditional regional variations of Lasagna Soup in the United States?
Some regions add spinach or kale for extra greens, while others use different pasta shapes like orzo or small shells. In the Southwest, a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle may be added for a subtle heat.
How is Lasagna Soup traditionally served in Italian‑American families?
It is typically served hot in deep bowls, topped with a generous dollop of ricotta‑mozzarella mixture, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of red chili flakes. It is often accompanied by crusty garlic bread.
What occasions or celebrations is Lasagna Soup traditionally associated with in Italian‑American culture?
While not tied to a specific holiday, Lasagna Soup is popular for casual family gatherings, game‑day meals, and as a comforting dinner during the fall and winter seasons when hearty soups are most welcome.
What other Italian‑American dishes pair well with Lasagna Soup?
A crisp Caesar salad, roasted garlic bread, or a simple antipasto platter of cured meats and olives complement the rich, creamy soup nicely.
What makes Lasagna Soup special or unique in Italian‑American cuisine?
It captures the layered flavors of lasagna—meat, tomato, cheese, and herbs—in a single‑pot soup, offering the same comforting taste with less prep and cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Lasagna Soup?
Common errors include under‑browning the meat, overcooking the pasta so it becomes mushy, and adding the heavy cream too early which can cause the soup to separate. Follow the critical steps for best results.
Why does this Lasagna Soup recipe add heavy cream after the stock instead of using milk?
Heavy cream provides a richer, silkier texture and helps the soup stay stable when simmered with acidic tomato sauce, whereas milk could curdle under the heat.
Can I make Lasagna Soup ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, the soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of stock or cream if it has thickened. The cheese topping should be added just before serving.
What does the YouTube channel That Savage Kitchen specialize in?
The YouTube channel That Savage Kitchen focuses on bold, flavorful comfort food recipes with a modern twist, often featuring hearty meat‑centric dishes and easy‑to‑follow step‑by‑step tutorials.
How does the YouTube channel That Savage Kitchen's approach to Italian‑American cooking differ from other cooking channels?
That Savage Kitchen emphasizes high‑energy presentation, straightforward ingredient lists, and shortcuts that maintain authentic flavor, whereas many other channels may focus on elaborate techniques or strict traditional methods.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
