Why You’ll Love this Cozy Homemade Lasagna Soup
This lasagna soup is about to become your new favorite comfort food—trust me. It combines all the rich, hearty flavors of traditional lasagna but in a convenient, spoonable form that’s perfect for chilly evenings.
What’s not to love about tender broken noodles swimming in a savory tomato broth with Italian seasonings? The brown sugar adds just a hint of sweetness to balance the acidity. And don’t get me started on the cheese situation—melty mozzarella and parmesan create that stretchy, gooey experience we all crave from lasagna.
Ready in under an hour, it’s easier than building traditional lasagna layers but delivers the same satisfying flavor. Plus, those crunchy Italian croutons on top? Genius replacement for that crispy top layer of traditional lasagna.
What Ingredients are in Cozy Homemade Lasagna Soup?
This hearty lasagna cheese soup brings all the comforting flavors of traditional lasagna into a warming bowl of soup, perfect for chilly evenings or when you’re seeking Italian flavors without all the layering work. The rich tomato broth combined with ground beef, tender pasta pieces, and two types of cheese creates a deeply satisfying meal that comes together much faster than traditional lasagna.
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
- 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups lasagna noodles, broken
- 1 (4 ounce) package Italian seasoned croutons
- 2½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
When shopping for ingredients, you might want to opt for using lean ground beef to reduce the fat content, though the regular kind works perfectly fine too. The quality of your cheeses will make a difference in the final flavor, so I recommend using freshly grated Parmesan and whole milk mozzarella if possible. And don’t skip the croutons – they add a wonderful textural contrast to the soup, mimicking that crispy top layer we all love in baked lasagna. Can you imagine anything more comforting on a cold night?
How to Make this Cozy Homemade Lasagna Soup
Start by gathering your ingredients and bringing out a large 5-quart saucepan. Brown 1½ pounds of ground beef with 1 chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. This forms the savory foundation of our soup, giving it that authentic lasagna flavor we’re aiming for. Once browned, be sure to drain the excess fat—this prevents your soup from becoming too greasy.
Now for the layers of flavor. Pour in 2 cans (14 ounces each) of chicken broth, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, and a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Season with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. The aroma that fills your kitchen will have everyone asking when dinner’s ready.
After simmering, add 1½ cups of broken lasagna noodles and continue cooking for another 20 minutes until the pasta is tender. If you prefer perfectly uniform noodles, consider using a high-end pasta machine to make fresh lasagna noodles cut to your exact specifications. Stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, which melts beautifully into the broth, creating a slightly thicker, creamier texture.
Serving this soup is half the fun. Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls, then top each serving with a handful of the 4-ounce Italian seasoned croutons for a delightful crunch. The finishing touch? A generous sprinkle of the 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, which melts slightly from the heat of the soup, creating those iconic cheese pulls we all love about lasagna. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and the soup is steaming hot. Trust me, this comfort-in-a-bowl brings all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a wonderfully slurpable form.
Cozy Homemade Lasagna Soup Substitutions and Variations
While we all love the classic recipe, sometimes your pantry situation calls for flexibility, or maybe you’re just in the mood to experiment with new flavors.
Let me share some delicious swaps that work beautifully in this soup. Ground turkey or Italian sausage can replace beef for a different protein profile. No lasagna noodles? Any pasta shape works in a pinch – rotini holds that sauce so nicely. Vegetarians can skip the meat altogether and double up on veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
For a creamier version, stir in a few tablespoons of ricotta or cream cheese before serving. And if you’re dairy-sensitive, nutritional yeast provides that cheesy flavor without the dairy. Gluten-free? Simply use your favorite GF pasta and skip the croutons.
What to Serve with Cozy Homemade Lasagna Soup
Every cozy bowl of lasagna soup practically begs for the perfect sidekick to round out your meal. I’m a firm believer that garlic bread is absolutely non-negotiable here—nothing beats dunking that buttery, herb-flecked goodness into the cheesy broth.
A simple Caesar salad with crisp romaine and homemade dressing provides that perfect fresh contrast to the rich soup.
For something a bit different, try serving alongside roasted vegetables drizzled with balsamic glaze, or maybe some bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil. Wine lovers, grab a medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese to complement those Italian flavors.
And can we talk about dessert? A light tiramisu or cannoli would segue beautifully from this hearty soup.
Final Thoughts
Three key things make this Lasagna Cheese Soup an absolute winner in my book. First, it transforms a traditionally baked dish into a comforting, spoonable meal that delivers all those classic lasagna flavors in every bite.
Second, it’s incredibly adaptable—you can add veggies, swap proteins, or adjust seasonings to suit your taste. Finally, that gorgeous melty cheese topping creates the perfect Instagram-worthy moment when you immerse yourself with your spoon.
I’m convinced this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you’re craving Italian flavors without the fuss of layering a traditional lasagna. The combination of savory broth, tender noodles, and that signature cheese pull? Simply irresistible.