Lasagna Soup: Deconstructed Delight with Extra Cheesy Goodness!
Lasagna. The ultimate comfort food. Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, all baked to bubbly perfection. But what if you could capture all that deliciousness in a warm, comforting bowl of soup? Enter: Lasagna Soup! This recipe takes all the best parts of lasagna and transforms them into a flavorful and easy-to-make soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening. And this isn’t just *any* lasagna soup. We’re kicking it up a notch with extra cheesy goodness! Prepare for a deconstructed lasagna experience that will have you craving seconds (and thirds!).
## Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Soup Recipe
* **Comfort Food in a Bowl:** All the flavors you love from lasagna, but in a cozy, easy-to-eat soup form.
* **Quick and Easy:** Forget layering pasta and waiting hours for baking. This soup comes together in under an hour.
* **One-Pot Wonder:** Less dishes to wash! Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Add more vegetables, use different cheeses, or swap the meat. The possibilities are endless!
* **That Cheesy Factor:** This recipe is designed for cheese lovers. Plenty of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan for that extra gooey, satisfying experience.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will love this familiar and comforting soup.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Ground Meat:** 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a combination of both). For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.
* **Garlic:** 3-4 cloves garlic, minced.
* **Italian Seasoning:** 2 teaspoons. This is the key to that classic lasagna flavor.
* **Dried Oregano:** 1 teaspoon. Enhances the Italian herbs.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon (optional, for a little heat).
* **Crushed Tomatoes:** 28 ounces. The base of our flavorful sauce.
* **Tomato Sauce:** 15 ounces. Adds richness and depth to the sauce.
* **Beef Broth:** 6-8 cups. Adjust to your preferred soup consistency.
* **Lasagna Noodles:** 8-10 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces. Gluten-free lasagna noodles work great too!
* **Ricotta Cheese:** 15 ounces. A key ingredient for that authentic lasagna flavor. Use whole milk ricotta for the best texture and flavor.
* **Mozzarella Cheese:** 2 cups, shredded. For that melty, cheesy topping.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** 1/2 cup, grated. Adds a salty, savory flavor to the soup and as a garnish.
* **Fresh Basil:** Chopped, for garnish (optional, but highly recommended).
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
## Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
1. **Brown the Meat:** In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. **Sauté Aromatics:** Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the cooked meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for building flavor in the soup.
3. **Add Spices:** Stir in the Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute more, allowing the spices to bloom and release their fragrance.
4. **Build the Sauce:** Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These browned bits add tons of flavor!
5. **Add Broth and Noodles:** Pour in the beef broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add the broken lasagna noodles and cook until the noodles are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
6. **Season to Taste:** Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be afraid to add a generous amount of salt, as it helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
7. **Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:** While the soup is simmering, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese. Mix well. This mixture will be dolloped on top of the soup before serving.
8. **Add Cheese and Garnish:** Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls. Top each bowl with a dollop of the ricotta mixture, a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of the remaining grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
9. **The Cheese Pull Perfection:** If you want that extra gooey, cheese-pull experience, place the bowls of soup under the broiler for a minute or two, until the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
10. **Serve Immediately:** Serve the lasagna soup immediately and enjoy! It’s best enjoyed while it’s hot and the cheese is melted and gooey.
## Tips and Tricks for the Best Lasagna Soup
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of your lasagna soup. Choose a good quality ground meat, crushed tomatoes, and cheeses.
* **Don’t Overcook the Noodles:** Be careful not to overcook the lasagna noodles. They should be tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooked noodles will become mushy.
* **Adjust the Broth to Your Liking:** Adjust the amount of beef broth to your preferred soup consistency. If you like a thicker soup, use less broth. If you prefer a thinner soup, use more broth.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to your lasagna soup, such as chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Add them to the pot along with the onions and garlic.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Get creative with the cheeses! Try adding provolone, asiago, or fontina cheese to the soup.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** To make this lasagna soup vegetarian, omit the ground meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add vegetarian crumbles for extra protein.
* **Make it Spicy:** If you like a spicy lasagna soup, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot.
* **Make it in a Slow Cooker:** This lasagna soup can also be made in a slow cooker. Brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic as directed in the recipe. Then, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
* **Make it Ahead:** Lasagna soup is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
* **Freezing Instructions:** Allow the soup to cool completely. Package into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Meat:** Ground beef is the classic choice, but you can also use Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), ground turkey, or ground chicken. For a vegetarian option, use plant-based ground meat substitutes or add more vegetables.
* **Noodles:** While traditional lasagna noodles are used here, you could also use other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Cheese:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses. Provolone, mozzarella balls (fresh), or even a dollop of mascarpone can add unique flavors and textures.
* **Vegetables:** This soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Add chopped carrots, celery, spinach, or kale for extra nutrients and flavor.
* **Spice:** Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping into the delicious broth.
* **Garlic Bread:** Take it up a notch with some homemade garlic bread.
* **Side Salad:** A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich soup.
* **Parmesan Crisps:** For an extra cheesy touch, serve with homemade parmesan crisps.
## Recipe Card
**Lasagna Soup: Deconstructed Delight with Extra Cheesy Goodness!**
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 35 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a combination of both)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
* 15 ounces tomato sauce
* 6-8 cups beef broth
* 8-10 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
* 15 ounces ricotta cheese
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
* Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute more.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
5. Pour in the beef broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add the broken lasagna noodles and cook until the noodles are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese. Mix well.
8. Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls. Top each bowl with a dollop of the ricotta mixture, a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of the remaining grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired.
9. If you want that extra gooey, cheese-pull experience, place the bowls of soup under the broiler for a minute or two, until the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
10. Serve immediately and enjoy!
## Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
**(Note: Nutrition information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)**
## Enjoy Your Cheesy Lasagna Soup!
This lasagna soup is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in or a casual gathering with friends and family. The cheesy goodness will have everyone coming back for more! Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #CheesyLasagnaSoup! Happy cooking!