The BEST Lasagna Soup – Comfort in a Bowl

When you want lasagna but cannot commit to the layering and long bake time this lasagna soup delivers all the cozy tomatoey cheesy flavors in just over forty minutes and minimal fuss

My family lights up whenever I announce lasagna soup for dinner. I first improvised it on a weeknight when real lasagna felt like too much work and it became an instant request in our house.

Ingredients

• Ground pork: brings savory flavor and classic lasagna heft try to get a mix with a little fat for more taste
• Salt and pepper: for balancing and enhancing every layer of flavor
• Large onion (chopped): adds sweetness and depth choose a heavy firm onion for the best results
• Garlic (minced): for robust background aroma always use fresh garlic
• Dried oregano: for that signature Italian herb taste check your jar for freshness by rubbing between your fingers
• Dried basil: the sweet herbal note that defines a good lasagna
• Hot sauce: a dash of heat to wake up the broth pick your favorite brand
• Tomato paste: for concentrated tomato richness choose double concentrated if possible
• Diced tomatoes or fire roasted tomatoes: for smoky tangy tomato body
• Bay leaves: bring a subtle earthy backdrop
• Chicken broth (low sodium): keeps things light and lets you control the salt homemade or good boxed stock makes a difference
• Mafalda pasta: the ruffled shape mimics lasagna noodles look for mafalda or break regular lasagna noodles by hand
• Mozzarella (shredded): for gooey topping or swap with Parmesan for a salty kick always grate cheese fresh if you can
• Parsley (chopped): for a fresh clean finish choose flat leaf parsley for the best flavor

Instructions

Brown the Meat:

Start by placing ground pork in a six quart Dutch oven or a similar large soup pot over medium heat Season with salt and pepper Sprinkle as you go so the meat stays well seasoned Brown the pork thoroughly breaking it apart with a spatula until it loses its pinkness

Sauté the Aromatics:

Add your chopped onion to the meat Stir and let the onion cook with the pork for about five minutes The goal is to get the onion soft and translucent so it melts into the soup

Layer in Flavors:

Add minced garlic dried oregano and dried basil to the pot Stir and cook for two minutes until the kitchen smells fragrant This step wakes up the herbs and garlic making sure their flavors are unlocked

Build the Broth:

Stir in the hot sauce and tomato paste Let it cook until the tomato paste turns rust colored and sticks a bit to the bottom about two minutes This caramelizes the tomato and adds depth Next add diced tomatoes bay leaves and chicken broth or water If using broth taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed

Add Pasta and Simmer:

Add mafalda pasta directly to the bubbling soup Let it cook uncovered for about twenty minutes Stir a few times to prevent sticking Stop when the pasta is al dente or exactly to your preference

Finish and Serve:

Remove the bay leaves Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary Ladle hot soup into bowls Top with a generous handful of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley You can also broil bowls until the cheese is bubbly and browned on top for an authentic lasagna vibe

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What gets everyone excited in my kitchen is that fresh parsley at the end I love seeing my kids’ faces light up when they sprinkle on the cheese It always reminds me of Sunday lasagna dinners growing up but in this fast and friendly soup format

Storage Tips

Lasagna soup keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days The pasta will continue soaking up liquid so you may want to add extra broth when reheating For longer storage let the soup cool and freeze in portioned airtight containers It will thaw and reheat beautifully on the stove

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have mafalda pasta break sheets of regular lasagna noodles or use rotini or bowtie The ground pork can be swapped for ground beef chicken or even turkey For a vegetarian version use a plant based crumble and vegetable broth Skip the hot sauce if you want it milder

Serving Suggestions

This soup is a meal on its own but pairing it with crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad makes dinner feel special For a party feel offer bowls topped with both mozzarella and Parmesan and have fresh herbs on the table for everyone to sprinkle

Cultural Context

Turning lasagna into soup is one of those clever Italian American twists born from home cooks needing both comfort and efficiency Instead of all day slow baking you get rich tomato flavor and cheesy goodness in no time The use of mafalda noodles nods playfully at classic lasagna sheets keeping the roots of tradition intact

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With its simple technique and wonderful flavor this lasagna soup is destined to become a regular weeknight comfort. Enjoy every spoonful—no layering required.