How to Make Viral Lasagna Soup | Quick 30-Minute One-Pot Dinner
Lasagna is a beloved comfort food, but making it from scratch can be time-consuming. This Lasagna Soup solves that problem! It delivers all the rich, meaty, and cheesy flavors you crave in a fun, scoopable bowl of soup. It’s the ultimate “comfort food hack” that’s taken over the internet for good reason—it’s incredibly delicious and deceptively simple to make.
Viral Lasagna Soup | One Pot Dinner
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 gm ground beef or chicken (or half and half beef + Italian sausage)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can(400g) crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 6 lasagna sheets, broken into pieces (or 2 cups pasta of choice)
For the Cheesy Topping
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or chicken. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor. Add crushed tomatoes and broth, then mix well.
- Break lasagna sheets into bite-sized pieces. Add to the pot and simmer uncovered for about 10–12 minutes, until pasta is tender.
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and chopped basil. Mix well — this will be your creamy “cheese dollop.”
- Once pasta is cooked, check seasoning. Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with a generous spoon of the cheese mixture. Let it melt into the soup for that signature cheesy pull moment.
Notes
Tips for the Best Lasagna Soup
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: They will continue to soften in the hot soup. Cooking them to al dente ensures they don’t get mushy.
- Broil for a Crispy Top: For a true lasagna experience, place an oven-safe bowl of soup with the cheese topping under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Vegetarian Version: Simply omit the meat and use a plant-based ground “meat” or add 1-2 cups of chopped mushrooms and zucchini when you sauté the onion.
- Creamier Soup: Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last 2 minutes of cooking for an extra rich and creamy broth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a different pasta?
Absolutely! Mafalda, rotini, or campanelle are great choices as their shapes hold the sauce well. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package directions.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the meat and onions, then transfer everything except the pasta and cheesy topping to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles and cook until tender.
Why is my soup so thick?
The pasta starches thicken the broth as it sits. Simply thin it out by adding more chicken broth or water when reheating until it reaches your desired consistency.
Is this soup kid-friendly?
It’s a huge hit with kids! For a milder version, use mild Italian sausage and omit the red pepper flakes. The fun, deconstructed nature of “soup lasagna” is a win for picky eaters.