Why You’ll Love this Hearty Lasagna Soup
When the temperatures drop and comfort food cravings kick in, nothing satisfies quite like this hearty lasagna soup. I’m obsessed with how it transforms all those classic lasagna flavors into a spoonable delight that’s ready in a fraction of the time. No layering required.
You’ll appreciate how the Italian sausage adds richness while mushrooms bring earthiness to every bite. The melty provolone or mozzarella at the bottom? Pure genius.
And let’s talk about those cute mafalda noodles that mimic miniature lasagna sheets. They’re adorable and practical, soaking up all that tomato-y goodness.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Lasagna Soup?
This comforting lasagna soup brings together all the flavors of traditional lasagna in a cozy, spoonable form. The ingredients list might look long at first glance, but most are pantry staples that work together to create layers of flavor reminiscent of the classic Italian casserole.
Think of it as deconstructed lasagna that comes together in one pot rather than requiring all that tedious layering.
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14½ ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, chopped
- 1 (10¾ ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup mafalda pasta (or campanelle pasta)
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup diced provolone or fresh mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- 4 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh basil (for garnish)
When shopping for this recipe, the pasta choice deserves special attention. Mafalda pasta, with its miniature lasagna-like shape, makes the soup feel authentic, but campanelle works beautifully too with its ruffled edges that capture the broth.
For the cheese, I prefer fresh mozzarella for its creaminess, but provolone adds a sharper flavor profile if that’s more your style. And don’t skip the fresh basil garnish—it brightens the whole dish with its aromatic finish.
How to Make this Hearty Lasagna Soup
Making this cozy lasagna soup couldn’t be simpler. Start by browning 1 pound of bulk Italian sausage in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the sausage begins to brown, add 2 cups of chopped onions and 1 cup of diced carrots, then sauté for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Next, toss in 2 cups of sliced mushrooms and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, continuing to sauté for another 3 minutes. There’s something magical about the aroma of garlic and sausage cooking together, isn’t there?
Now for the liquid components that transform this from a simple sauté into a soup. Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth, a 14½-ounce can of chopped Italian-style stewed tomatoes, and a 10¾-ounce can of tomato sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil, then add 1 cup of mafalda pasta (those mini lasagna-shaped noodles that make this soup so authentic).
Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes or according to the package directions. In the final moments of cooking, stir in 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach and cook just until wilted, which happens surprisingly fast.
The finishing touch is what makes this soup truly special. Place ¼ cup of diced provolone or fresh mozzarella cheese in the bottom of each serving bowl before ladling the hot soup on top. The cheese melts into the soup, creating those stretchy, gooey strands we all love in traditional lasagna.
Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese and some thinly sliced fresh basil. These final touches aren’t just pretty—they add bright, herbaceous notes and a salty bite that perfectly balances the rich, tomato-y broth.
Hearty Lasagna Soup Substitutions and Variations
Although this hearty lasagna soup recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or pantry inventory.
For protein swaps, try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or lentils for a vegetarian twist. Not a fan of spinach? Kale or Swiss chard work beautifully.
The pasta is flexible too—any short pasta shape will do in a pinch. I’ve used bowties when I couldn’t find mafalda, and nobody complained.
Dairy-free? Skip the cheese garnish or use plant-based alternatives.
And those mushrooms? Totally optional if they’re not your thing.
What to Serve with Hearty Lasagna Soup
When you’re serving a steaming bowl of hearty lasagna soup, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your meal from simple to spectacular.
I love offering crusty garlic bread for dipping—that golden, buttery exterior with soft insides is practically mandatory for soup nights.
A simple Caesar salad with crisp romaine and tangy dressing provides the perfect fresh counterpoint.
Or try a caprese salad with ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
For wine lovers, a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti cuts through the richness of the soup.
Sangiovese works beautifully too.
Isn’t it amazing how the right pairings make everything taste better?
Final Thoughts
This hearty lasagna soup has become my go-to comfort food recipe throughout the seasons.
There’s something magical about transforming a classic Italian casserole into spoonable form—all those familiar flavors in a steaming bowl.
I love how versatile it is, too.
Don’t have spinach? Toss in kale.
No mafalda pasta? Any small shape works beautifully.
The key is that melty cheese waiting at the bottom of each bowl.
What started as a weeknight experiment has turned into my most-requested recipe.
Who knew deconstructing lasagna could create something even more satisfying than the original?
