Lasagna soup, made with a tomato broth base, lasagna noodles, Italian sausage, and cheesy topping, resembles a delicious lasagna in soup form. The soup’s chunky texture and all-in-one meal composition make it a favorite among those who enjoy hearty soups. The lasagna soup is a family-friendly main course that can be quickly prepared when pressed for time.
Using Lasagna Noodles in… Soup
Lasagna noodles are the most suitable choice for making lasagna soup, as they are specifically designed for this dish. It’s recommended to break them into smaller bite-sized pieces before cooking. However, there are other pasta shapes that can work just as well. Ribbon-shaped kinds of pasta like reginetti and Mafalda, which resemble mini ruffle-edged lasagna noodles, are also excellent options. Additionally, farfalle and bell-shaped campanelle pair nicely with lasagna soup.
Cooking the noodles separately from the lasagna soup has the advantage of preventing noodle mushiness. Although it requires an extra pot, this method ensures that the noodles remain firm and don’t get overcooked in the soup.
If the lasagna soup is intended to be served immediately, the noodles can be cooked directly in the soup without the risk of becoming mushy. However, if the soup is simmered for more than 10 minutes, the noodles will likely get overcooked. Separately cooking and storing the noodles also allows for delaying the serving time or reheating the soup later without the risk of noodles soaking up the broth and becoming mushy.
This Lasagna Soup Is Easy to Make
This soup recipe is highly adaptable to the cook’s preferences. One can add greens like baby spinach or kale or simmer the soup with a Parmesan rind for a savory flavor. However, the rind should be removed before serving. The soup can be prepared with chicken, turkey, plant-based sausages, or no meat instead of traditional meat sausage.
Boil salted water and cook broken lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a pot, cook sausage, onion, garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings. Add chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and water. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Combine ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add cooked pasta to serving bowls, then top with cheese, ricotta mixture, and basil.
Preparation Time: 8 minutes; Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Lasagna Soup Ingredients:
- Kosher salt
- 8 ounces lasagna noodles
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- A dash of freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, torn