Good morning, my dear friends, from a beautiful, lazy Sunday here in Khenifra! The air is cool, and it’s the perfect kind of day for the ultimate comfort food hack. My Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup is one of those magical fall yummy recipes that gives you all the rich, savory, and cheesy flavors of a classic baked lasagna in a simple, one-pot soup! Imagine a velvety, tomato-cream broth, loaded with savory Italian sausage and tender pasta, all topped with a dollop of creamy ricotta. It’s one of my favorite easy dinner recipes comfort foods that strikes the perfect balance between a deeply satisfying meal and a surprisingly fast weeknight dinner.
Serving Versatility
This glorious soup is a complete one-bowl wonder! It’s designed to be served hot and fresh, loaded with a creamy ricotta topping and with a side of crusty garlic bread for dipping. It truly shines all on its own.
Full Recipe: My Tuscan-Style Lasagna Soup
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: Approximately 520 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 6-8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
- For Topping: Part-skim ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage and set it aside, leaving about a tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Let the soup simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir the cooked sausage back into the pot. Slowly stir in the heavy cream. If using spinach, add it now and stir until it wilts.
- Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Do not let the soup boil after adding the cream.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with a generous dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This is one of the best yummy fast dinners, giving you all the flavor of lasagna in about 30 minutes!
- Budget-friendly ingredients: It uses simple, accessible ingredients to create a meal that tastes incredibly rich.
- Big, cozy flavor: It’s the ultimate comfort food, a perfect example of the best creamy soups for a chilly day.
- Nutritional value: It’s a hearty, satisfying meal, and you can easily add extra vegetables for a nutrient boost.
- Customizability: This recipe is easy to adapt! See the FAQs for how to make it in an Instant Pot or scale it down for a lasagna soup for 2.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
This recipe is a perfect example of a “deconstructed” soup, a modern cooking trend that makes classic, complex dishes accessible for busy weeknights. It takes the core flavors of lasagna—the savory meat, the rich tomato sauce, the creamy cheese, and the pasta—and reimagines them in a simple, one-pot soup. This clever hack delivers all the comforting nostalgia and deliciousness of the original dish without the hours of layering, baking, and cleanup, making it one of the best good fall dinner ideas.
Serving Suggestions
- The Classic Bowl: Serve hot with a big, creamy dollop of ricotta cheese, a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, and torn fresh basil leaves.
- With Garlic Bread: This soup is practically made to be served with a side of warm, buttery garlic bread for sopping up every last bit of the creamy broth.
- With a Simple Salad: Pair with a crisp Caesar or arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the soup.
- Add Some Heat: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top is a wonderful addition for those who enjoy a little spice.
Pro Tips for Success
- Brown the Sausage Well: Don’t rush the first step! Getting a good, deep brown on your Italian sausage builds a huge layer of savory flavor that will infuse the entire soup.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Add the broken noodles to the simmering broth and cook them just until they are al dente. They will continue to soften as they sit in the hot soup.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: For the best flavor and smoothest melt, always grate your own Parmesan from a block. The pre-shredded kind just doesn’t compare!
- Low and Slow with Dairy: When you stir in the heavy cream at the end, make sure your heat is on low. Boiling cream can cause it to separate, so be gentle!
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be aware that the lasagna noodles will continue to absorb the broth as it sits, so your leftovers will be much thicker (and still incredibly delicious!). To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up and bring it back to a soupy consistency.
Closing Paragraph
I am so excited for you to try this amazing Easy Creamy Lasagna Soup! It’s one of my favorite easy soup or stew recipes and a guaranteed winner for a cozy night in. It’s proof that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create a truly special and comforting meal. Please give it a try, and I would love for you to come back and leave a rating and a comment to let me know how much you loved it!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This soup is my ultimate comfort food hack. It feels so incredibly indulgent and special, but it’s our little secret how ridiculously easy it is to make. It’s the perfect meal for a lazy Sunday, but it’s fast enough for a busy Tuesday. It’s just a bowl of pure happiness, and I hope you enjoy it!