Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

by

All the flavors of lasagna, served in a warm bowl

If you love lasagna but don’t have the time (or patience) to layer noodles, this Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese is the ultimate comfort food shortcut. 🍲🧀✨ Loaded with ground beef, tender pasta, tomatoes, Italian herbs, and a dollop of creamy ricotta, it tastes just like the classic dish—only cozier and easier! Perfect for chilly weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners, this one-pot soup comes together quickly and makes the house smell like pure Italian heaven. Bonus? Each bowl gets topped with a ricotta-Parmesan blend that melts right in, creating that cheesy lasagna vibe with every spoonful.

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 6

Ingredients List

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 oz mafalda, bowtie, or broken lasagna noodles
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Ricotta Topping:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra melty topping)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board & sharp knife
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Ladle for serving
  • Small mixing bowl (for ricotta topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Brown meat: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat. 🍖
  2. Add aromatics: Stir in onion and garlic. Cook until softened, 2–3 minutes.
  3. Simmer base: Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
  4. Cook noodles: Bring soup to a boil, then stir in pasta. Reduce to simmer and cook until pasta is tender, 10–12 minutes. 🍝
  5. Make ricotta topping: In a small bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. (Add mozzarella if you want extra cheesy goodness.) 🧀✨
  6. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top each with a generous scoop of ricotta mixture. Stir gently for that melty lasagna vibe.
  7. Optional garnish: Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley. 🌿

Pro Tips

  • Make Ahead: Soup can be made 1 day ahead—cook pasta separately to prevent it from absorbing all the broth.
  • Freezer-Friendly: Freeze soup base without pasta, then add fresh noodles when reheating.
  • Meat Lovers’ Twist: Use Italian sausage instead of beef for extra flavor.
  • Serving Idea: Pair with garlic bread or a green salad for a complete Italian-inspired dinner. 🥖

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 bowl41026g38g16g4g10g