Creamy Lasagna Soup With Ricotta Topping: A Comforting Italian Classic in a Bowl
When comfort food meets convenience, you get Creamy Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Topping. This hearty, flavorful soup delivers all the layers of a classic lasagna—rich tomato sauce, tender noodles, seasoned ground meat, and creamy ricotta—without the time-consuming baking. Perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or cozy gatherings, this soup offers a warm, satisfying experience in every spoonful.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its balance: a rich, savory broth combined with al dente pasta, fresh herbs, and a luxurious dollop of ricotta cheese. Each bowl is a complete meal, capturing the essence of traditional lasagna while simplifying preparation. Whether served for a casual weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, this creamy soup brings Italian comfort straight to your table, ensuring everyone leaves happy and full.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s a complete list of ingredients for approximately 6 servings, along with approximate calorie counts:
| Ingredient | Amount | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | 240 |
| Onion, diced | 1 medium | 44 |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves | 13 |
| Ground beef or Italian sausage | 1 lb | 800 |
| Crushed tomatoes | 28 oz | 160 |
| Tomato paste | 2 tbsp | 30 |
| Chicken or vegetable broth | 4 cups | 60 |
| Italian seasoning | 2 tsp | 10 |
| Salt | 1 tsp | 0 |
| Black pepper | 1/2 tsp | 3 |
| Lasagna noodles, broken into pieces | 8 oz | 840 |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup | 430 |
| Fresh basil, chopped | 2 tbsp | 2 |
| Parmesan cheese, grated | 1/4 cup | 110 |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | 1/4 tsp | 0 |
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Sauté Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Cook the Meat
- Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot.
- Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Build the Soup Base
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken or vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add Pasta
- Add broken lasagna noodles to the soup.
- Simmer until noodles are tender, about 10–12 minutes.
5. Finish with Cheese
- Stir in half of the ricotta cheese for a creamy texture.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with a dollop of remaining ricotta, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
- Vegetarian option: Replace meat with mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils.
- Extra creamy: Add 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half when stirring in ricotta.
- Make it spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot Italian sausage.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta instead of traditional lasagna noodles.
- Prep ahead: Make the soup base in advance and refrigerate; add pasta and ricotta just before serving.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~470 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Protein | 25g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sodium | 950mg |
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with garlic bread or warm focaccia for a complete meal.
- Pair with a simple side salad for freshness.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for presentation.
- For a cozy touch, serve with a glass of red wine or sparkling water.
- Perfect for meal prep: store in the refrigerator and reheat with additional broth as needed.
Creamy Lasagna Soup With Ricotta Topping: A Comforting Italian Classic in a Bowl
6
servings15
minutes30
minutes470
kcalIngredients
Soup Base
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
28 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Pasta & Toppings
8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions
- Sauté Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Cook diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Meat
- Add ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
- Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Build the Soup
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add Pasta
- Add broken lasagna noodles to the soup.
- Simmer until noodles are tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese
- Stir in half of the ricotta cheese for creaminess.
- Serve in bowls and top each with remaining ricotta, Parmesan, fresh basil, and optional red pepper flakes.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils and use vegetable broth.
Freeze the soup without noodles; add fresh pasta when reheating to prevent mushy noodles.
FAQs
1. Can I make lasagna soup ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the soup base a day in advance and refrigerate it. Add the noodles and ricotta just before reheating to keep the pasta from becoming too soft.
2. Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze the soup without the noodles. Thaw and reheat, then cook the noodles fresh before serving. Ricotta should be added after reheating.
3. Can I make a vegetarian version?
Absolutely! Replace the meat with vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils. You can also use a vegetarian broth for full flavor.
4. Can I use store-bought cooked noodles?
Yes. If using pre-cooked noodles, add them toward the end of cooking just to heat through, which prevents them from getting mushy.
5. How can I make the soup creamier?
Stir in half-and-half or heavy cream along with the ricotta for an extra creamy texture. You can also blend a portion of the soup for a smooth consistency.
Conclusion
Creamy Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Topping is the ultimate comfort food that captures the essence of traditional lasagna in a quick, bowl-friendly form. With its rich tomato base, tender pasta, savory meat, and creamy ricotta, this soup satisfies both the heart and soul. Easy to customize and ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, it’s a versatile, cozy dish that brings Italian flavors to your table with minimal fuss.
