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Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup: 45 Min Comfort

Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

Oh, who doesn’t love a big ol’ bowl of comfort on a chilly evening? That’s why I’m so excited to share this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese with you all today! I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that you and your family will love. Everything is made with heart and flavor. You know, sometimes you just crave those classic lasagna flavors – the rich tomato, the savory meat, the creamy cheese – but you don’t have hours to spend layering and baking. That’s where this soup swoops in! It’s my secret weapon for getting that incredible taste without all the fuss. I’ve spent years tweaking recipes to make them super accessible and bursting with flavor, and this one is a total winner for busy weeknights or when you just need a hug in a bowl. Get ready to dive into your new favorite way to enjoy lasagna!

Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this soup? It’s the ultimate weeknight miracle! You get all those incredible lasagna flavors you adore, but packed into a rich, satisfying soup. Here’s why it’s going to be your new go-to:

  • Super Easy One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup is always a win, right? Everything cooks right in one pot!
  • Bursting with Flavor: We’re talking savory meat, tangy tomatoes, fragrant herbs – it’s like a hug in a bowl.
  • Pure Comfort Food: This Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese is guaranteed to warm you up from your head to your toes.
  • Quick to Make: Ready in about 45 minutes, making it perfect for those busy evenings when takeout feels tempting.
  • That Ricotta Topping! The creamy, cheesy dollop on top just takes it from delicious to absolutely divine.

Gather Your Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup Ingredients

Alright, let’s get our ingredients lined up for this amazing Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese! Having everything prepped makes the cooking process so smooth, and trust me, you’ll want to get right to the good stuff. We’re using simple pantry staples and a few fresh goodies to bring all those classic lasagna flavors into a comforting soup.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient Quantity Notes
Olive oil 1 Tbsp For sautéing
Ground beef or Italian sausage 1 lb Casings removed; hot or sweet works great!
Sweet onion 1 medium Roughly chopped
Kosher salt 1 ½ tsp (divided) For seasoning throughout
Garlic 3 cloves Finely chopped
Dried oregano or Italian seasoning 2 tsp Adds that classic Italian aroma
Crushed red pepper flakes ¼ tsp Just a pinch for a little warmth
Tomato paste 3 Tbsp For deep tomato flavor
Crushed tomatoes 1 (28oz) can Good quality makes a difference!
Low-sodium chicken broth 6 cups (48oz) Keeps the soup from getting too salty
Bay leaf 1 Adds a subtle depth
Fresh basil leaves ⅓ cup Loosely packed; stir in for freshness
Parmesan rind 1 Optional, but adds amazing umami flavor!
Pasta noodles 8 oz Mafaldine, fusilli col buco, or lasagna noodles broken up work perfectly.
Heavy cream ¼ cup For a touch of richness
Shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (4oz) Melts beautifully into the soup
Fresh parsley or basil leaves ¼ cup Chopped, for serving
Baguette For serving Optional, but great for dipping!

Ricotta Cheese Topping Ingredients

This little dollop of creamy goodness is what makes this soup extra special. You’ll just need:

  • 1 cup (8oz) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Crafting Your Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Alright, let’s get this magic happening! Making this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese is honestly so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the layered kind on a busy weeknight. We’re going to build all those amazing flavors right in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Just follow along, and soon you’ll be enjoying a bowl of pure comfort.

Browning the Meat and Sautéing Aromatics

First things first, let’s get that yummy meat browned. Grab your Dutch oven or a nice big soup pot and heat up that tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your pound of ground meat – whether it’s beef or Italian sausage, hot or sweet, it’s all good! Cook it, stirring every now and then, until it’s nicely browned all over. If there’s a lot of grease, you can carefully drain some of it off. Now, add your chopped sweet onion right into the pot. Sprinkle it with about half a teaspoon of Kosher salt, and let it soften up for a few minutes, just until it starts to get tender. Then, add your finely chopped garlic and give it a good stir. Cook for just another minute until you can smell that amazing garlic aroma – careful not to let it burn! Stir in your dried oregano and those crushed red pepper flakes; they’ll wake everything up.

Building the Flavor Base

Next up, we’re going to deepen that tomato flavor. Add the tomato paste to the pot and use your spatula to break it up and stir it around, letting it cook for a minute or two until it darkens slightly. This really brings out its sweetness. Now, pour in that big can of crushed tomatoes, followed by the chicken broth. If you’re using a Parmesan rind (and I highly recommend it if you have one!), toss it in now along with your fresh basil leaves. Give everything a good stir, making sure to scrape up any little bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring this whole mixture to a boil, then immediately turn the heat down to a gentle simmer.

Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese - detail 2

Cooking the Pasta and Preparing the Ricotta

While the soup base is simmering away, it’s time to add your noodles. Stir in your 8 ounces of pasta – whatever fun shape you’ve chosen – and let it cook according to the package directions, usually around 12 to 15 minutes, until it’s tender but still has a little bite. While that’s going on, let’s whip up that dreamy ricotta topping. Grab a medium bowl and combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, the grated Parmesan, the rest of your Kosher salt, and that fresh black pepper. Give it a good mix until it’s all smooth and creamy. Set this aside; it’s going to be amazing on top!

Finishing and Broiling the Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Once your pasta is cooked just right, it’s time to finish this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup! Fish out that bay leaf and the Parmesan rind (if you used one) and toss them. Now, stir in the heavy cream and the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until the mozzarella is all melted and gooey. Give the soup a taste and add any extra salt or pepper if you think it needs it. Ladle the soup into individual serving bowls. Now for the fun part! Carefully place your filled bowls onto a rimmed baking sheet (this catches any drips). Dollop a generous spoonful of your prepared ricotta mixture right on top of each bowl of soup. Pop that baking sheet under a broiler set to high for just 1-2 minutes, keeping a super close eye on it! You just want the ricotta to get melty, golden, and bubbly. Once it looks perfect, carefully pull it out, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or basil, and serve immediately with a crack of black pepper and maybe some crusty bread. Enjoy!

Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese - detail 3

Tips for the Perfect Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Making this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup is pretty foolproof, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up to make it absolutely perfect every single time. You want that rich flavor and just the right consistency, right?

  • Pasta Perfection: If you’re not serving immediately, cook your pasta separately until it’s just al dente, drain it, and then add it to the soup right before serving. This stops it from getting mushy in the leftover soup. You might need to add an extra splash of broth if the soup seems too thick.
  • Taste and Season: Don’t skip tasting the soup before you serve it! Broth brands vary, and your meat might be saltier. Adjust the Kosher salt and pepper as needed. You can also add more red pepper flakes if you like it spicier.
  • Broiler Watch: That broiler is intense! Keep a super close eye on your soup when it’s under there. It only needs a minute or two to get that gorgeous golden-brown bubbly top. You don’t want it to burn!
  • Broth Swap: While chicken broth is my go-to, feel free to use vegetable broth if you’re looking for a vegetarian option (just omit the meat and maybe add some extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini!).

Storing and Reheating Your Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup

Got some delicious Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup left? Lucky you! It stores beautifully, though there’s a little trick to keep that pasta just right. For the best results, let the soup cool down completely before storing.

Here’s the scoop:

Storage Method Duration Reheating Tip
Airtight container in the refrigerator 3-5 days When reheating, it’s best to cook your pasta separately until al dente, drain, and then add it to the reheated soup just before serving. This prevents the pasta from getting too soft or mushy. If you’re reheating the whole batch, be prepared for slightly softer pasta, or you can remove the soup from the heat once hot and stir in freshly cooked pasta.
Freezer-safe container (leave out pasta) Up to 3 months Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat the soup base on the stove. Cook fresh pasta separately and add it to the reheated soup. Stir in the ricotta mixture and broil as directed before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

Got questions about whipping up this amazing Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese? I’ve got answers! It’s one of those recipes that people adore, and I get asked about it a lot. Let’s dive in!

Q1. Can I make this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! It’s super easy to make this vegetarian. Just skip the ground meat and Italian sausage. Instead, you can add extra veggies like diced zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers when you sauté the onions. You could also use a plant-based ground substitute if you like. It will still be wonderfully flavorful!

Q2. What kind of pasta works best in this soup?
Honestly, you have a lot of freedom here! I love using mafaldine or fusilli col buco because their ruffles catch all that delicious broth. Broken lasagna noodles work great too, giving you those classic lasagna vibes. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces so they’re easy to eat with a spoon. Any short pasta shape like penne or rotini will work in a pinch!

Q3. How can I make this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup spicier?
If you like a little heat, you’re in luck! You can easily amp up the spice. I already add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, but feel free to double that amount or even add a bit more. You could also use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet, or stir in a bit of cayenne pepper along with the other spices. That little kick makes it even more comforting!

Q4. Can I freeze this Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup?
Yes, you can freeze it, but with one important note: leave out the pasta! Pasta tends to get mushy when frozen and reheated. So, cook the soup base completely, let it cool, and then freeze it. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge, reheat the soup base on the stove, and then cook fresh pasta separately to add right before serving. It’s the best way to keep everything tasting fresh!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

Please keep in mind that nutritional information can vary based on the specific brands and ingredients you use. This is an estimate to give you a general idea.

Serving Size 1.5 cups
Calories 677kcal
Sugar 6g
Sodium 1014mg
Fat 39g
Saturated Fat 19g
Unsaturated Fat 20g
Trans Fat 1g
Carbohydrates 41g
Fiber 2g
Protein 40g
Cholesterol 124mg
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Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese

Cozy, One-Pot Lasagna Soup: 45 Min Comfort


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  • Author: anna kowalska
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cozy One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta Cheese is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for a chilly evening. It combines all the delicious flavors of lasagna in a hearty soup, topped with a creamy ricotta mixture.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed
  • 1 medium sweet onion, roughly chopped
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 6 cups (48oz) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ⅓ cup loosely packed basil leaves
  • 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
  • 8 oz pasta noodles of your choice (e.g., mafaldine, fusilli col buco, or lasagna noodles broken into bite-size pieces)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup (4oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves, for serving
  • Baguette, for serving (optional)
  • For the ricotta cheese topping:
  • 1 cup (8oz) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown the meat. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides (about 4-5 minutes). Drain off excess grease if desired.
  2. Sauté onion. Add chopped onion and season with ½ tsp Kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (about 2-3 minutes). Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes.
  3. Add liquid. Add tomato paste and break it up with a spatula until dissolved. Add crushed tomatoes, low-sodium chicken broth, and bay leaf. Stir in fresh basil leaves and Parmesan rind, if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  4. Add noodles. Stir in pasta noodles and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. Meanwhile, prepare the ricotta cheese topping.
  5. Make the ricotta cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, remaining ½ tsp Kosher salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
  6. Finish the soup, then broil with cheese. Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Stir in heavy cream and shredded mozzarella cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Spoon into serving bowls. Place individual portions of soup on a rimmed baking sheet. Dollop each with some of the ricotta cheese mixture. Place under a broiler set to high for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately with extra black pepper.

Notes

  • If not serving immediately, cook pasta separately to prevent overcooking. Boil in salted water until al dente, drain, and add to reheated soup just before serving. If cooking pasta separately, reduce the chicken broth by 1 cup.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
  • Any type of Italian sausage works (pork or chicken, hot or sweet).
  • If freezing, leave out the pasta. Cool the soup completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat, and add freshly cooked pasta and the ricotta mixture before serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: One-Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 677kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 1014mg
  • Fat: 39g
  • Saturated Fat: 19g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 41g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 124mg

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