Description
This easy Lasagna Soup turns classic comfort food into a quick one pot meal with tender noodles and savory beef in a simple tomato broth. It is one of the best ideas for a healthy family weeknight dinner and it also works well for meal prep or a cozy holiday potluck. Ricotta and mozzarella add creamy flavor while spinach brings freshness. Serve it at brunch or a casual party when you need a filling recipe that feels special without extra work. Today.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 pound Lean ground beef
- 1 medium diced Yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced Garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 quarter teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 can 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 5 cups Low sodium beef broth
- 8 ounces broken into irregular pieces Lasagna noodles
- 2 packed cups Baby spinach
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 half cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 quarter cup torn Fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon plus more to taste Kosher salt
- 1 half teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- The ground beef changes from pink to browned crumbles while the diced onion turns soft and translucent. The garlic and seasonings become partially mixed through the meat as the pieces shift toward the center. The mixture should remain irregular with small and large crumbles plus lightly browned edges. No tomato or broth is visible yet.
- Tomato paste and crushed tomatoes transform the browned beef into a thick red mixture. The meat is fully mixed through the sauce while small onion pieces remain visible in uneven pockets. The mixture becomes glossy and deeper in color with casual streaks along the pot. The texture is thick rather than soupy at this stage.
- Beef broth loosens the tomato mixture into a bubbling soup and the broken lasagna noodles spread through the liquid. The noodle pieces soften and curl while some overlap and others remain partly visible at the surface. The broth becomes slightly thicker as starch releases from the pasta. Beef crumbles shift between the center and edges after stirring.
- Two packed cups of spinach fold into the simmering soup and shrink into dark green ribbons. The leaves move from the top into the broth while noodles and beef shift into a looser uneven arrangement. The finished soup has tender pasta and a rich red broth with visible green flecks. Cheese and basil have not been added yet.
- A single portion is transferred into a deep white bowl so the noodles and beef settle in natural overlapping layers. Ricotta is added in uneven dollops while mozzarella melts into stretchy strands and Parmesan clings lightly to the surface. Torn basil finishes the bowl with scattered green pieces. The soup looks homemade with irregular noodle edges and non-uniform cheese melting plus small red splashes along the inner bowl.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Break the noodles into uneven bite size pieces because varied shapes create a more natural texture and fit easily on a spoon.
- Keep the soup at a steady gentle simmer so the pasta softens evenly without catching on the bottom or turning overly soft.
- Add extra broth when reheating because the noodles continue absorbing liquid and naturally thicken the soup during storage.
- Serve the ricotta in small separate dollops so every spoonful gets creamy contrast instead of one fully blended cheese layer.
Storage: Cool the Lasagna Soup before transferring it to airtight containers. Refrigerate it for up to four days and keep the cheese garnish separate when possible. The noodles will continue to absorb broth during storage. Add a splash of beef broth or water before reheating so the soup returns to a loose spoonable consistency. Reheat individual portions gently until steaming throughout. Stir once or twice so the beef and noodles warm evenly while the cheese is added only after heating. For freezing use the tomato and beef soup base without noodles or cheese. Freeze for up to three months then thaw overnight and cook fresh noodles in the reheated base before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian American