Do you ever find yourself longing for the comforting, cheesy layers of a traditional lasagna, but the reality of a busy weeknight makes it seem impossible? We completely understand. You’re after that rich, meaty flavour—the very essence of home cooking—but the thought of layering, baking, and the inevitable mountain of washing-up is simply too daunting. What if we told you that all that wonderful taste could be yours in a single pot, ready in well under an hour? Let us introduce you to your new go-to meal: our spectacular Creamy Lasagna Soup.

This recipe brilliantly reimagines the cherished Italian-American classic as a straightforward, spoonable soup that hits all the right notes. It’s a genuine game-changer, combining all the essential components—savoury minced beef, a robust tomato base, tender pasta, and a delightful trio of cheeses—into one easy-to-prepare dish. It’s the ideal choice for a cosy evening and stands out as one of the finest easy soup recipes we know.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pot Simplicity: Everything comes together in a single large pot or Dutch oven, which means minimal clean-up and a fantastic infusion of flavours. It truly is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward meal.
• Lasagna Flavour without the Fuss: You experience all the authentic, savoury goodness of a baked lasagna—the hearty meat sauce, the soft pasta, the creamy cheese—without any of the intricate layering or extended baking time.
• Ready in Under 45 Minutes: This makes for a perfect weeknight ground beef dinner. It’s prepared quickly, making it a fantastic option when you need a delicious meal on the table in a hurry.
• A Family Favourite: With its familiar and comforting taste, this is one of our top picky eater approved meals. Both children and adults will be coming back for more!
• Wonderfully Adaptable: Don’t hesitate to add your favourite vegetables, such as spinach or mushrooms, or change the protein by using Italian sausage. This recipe serves as an excellent foundation for your own culinary creativity.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 litre beef or chicken stock
• 200g lasagna sheets, broken into bite-sized pieces
• 120ml double cream
• 150g ricotta cheese
• 100g grated mozzarella cheese
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• A handful of fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

How to Make The Best Creamy Lasagna Soup

Preparing this soup is delightfully simple. We’ve outlined the process in a few easy-to-follow steps that will take you from a collection of ingredients to a steaming bowl of comfort before you know it. Set aside the oven and reach for your favourite pot!

Step 1: Sauté the Base Flavours

Set a large Dutch oven or a pot with a heavy base over a medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the chopped onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until it has softened and turned translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes aromatic, taking care that it doesn’t burn.

Step 2: Brown the Beef Mince

Add the lean beef mince to your pot. Using a wooden spoon, break it apart as it cooks. Continue cooking until the mince is browned throughout. If there’s any excess fat, feel free to drain it off. Now, stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Allow the herbs and spices to toast for about 30 seconds to awaken their fragrance.

Step 3: Build the Soup

Pour in the chopped tomatoes and the beef or chicken stock. Give everything a good stir, making sure to scrape up any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Place a lid on the pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes, which allows the flavours to deepen and marry together.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Remove the lid and add the broken pieces of lasagna sheets to the pot. Stir well to ensure they don’t clump together. Let the soup continue to simmer, uncovered, for around 10–12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (cooked but with a slight firmness). The pasta will keep softening in the hot broth, so it’s key not to overcook it at this point.

Step 5: Add the Creamy Finish

Turn the heat down to low. Gently stir in the double cream and half of the ricotta cheese until they are smoothly combined and the soup has a wonderfully creamy consistency. Let it heat through for a minute or two, but avoid letting it return to a full boil.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot Creamy Lasagna Soup into individual bowls. Finish each serving with a generous topping of grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add a spoonful of the reserved ricotta and a sprinkle of fresh basil. The warmth of the soup will melt the mozzarella into delicious, gooey strings.

Tips for the Perfect Lasagna Soup

To make sure your soup turns out perfectly every single time, here are a few simple tips we recommend:

• Use Quality Ingredients: A truly great italian comfort food dish begins with excellent components. Using fresh garlic, good-quality beef mince, and a flavourful stock will elevate the final taste significantly.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Pasta naturally continues to absorb liquid as it sits. To prevent a mushy result, cook it just until it reaches al dente. If you plan to have leftovers, you could even cook the pasta separately and add it to each portion as you serve.
• Break Pasta Sheets Evenly: Aim to break the lasagna sheets into fairly uniform, bite-sized pieces (around 2-3 inches). This helps them cook at the same rate and makes the soup easier to eat.
• Let It Rest: Much like a classic lasagna, this soup benefits from resting for a few minutes off the heat before being served. This gives the flavours a chance to settle and become even more profound.

If you’re a fan of creative takes on classic comfort foods, we think you’ll also adore our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe, which merges two family favourites into one incredible bake!

Variations and Serving Suggestions

One of the finest qualities of this soup is its versatility. You can easily adjust it to suit your family’s preferences or use whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Easy Recipe Variations

• Switch the Protein: For an extra depth of flavour, try using spicy Italian sausage (with casings removed). Alternatively, opt for turkey or chicken mince to create a lighter soup.
• Load Up on Veggies: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale in the final few minutes of cooking. Sautéed mushrooms or diced courgettes are also wonderful additions.
• Make it Tangier: For a slightly different kind of creaminess, you can replace the ricotta with an equal measure of full-fat cream cheese.

What to Serve with Your Soup

This Creamy Lasagna Soup is a substantial meal in itself, but a complementary side is always a welcome addition! We particularly enjoy serving it with warm, crusty garlic bread, perfect for soaking up the rich, tomato-cream broth. A simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette also offers a lovely, fresh contrast to the soup’s richness. For another satisfying meal idea, why not take a look at our recipe for Smash Burgers With Baconnaise The Ultimate Backyard Burger.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Comfort Meal

Our Creamy Lasagna Soup is so much more than a recipe; it’s like a warm hug in a bowl. It serves as delicious proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to produce a meal that’s both deeply satisfying and packed with flavour. By transforming a beloved classic into an easy, one-pot soup, we’ve designed a dish that slots perfectly into a busy, modern lifestyle without losing any of the comforting magic that makes lasagna so special.

So, the next time that craving for rich, cheesy Italian food hits, we truly hope you’ll give this recipe a go. It is sure to become a firm favourite in your meal rotation. If you do make it, we would be delighted to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below, or share a photo of your creation on social media and tag us.