Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Brown the Ground Beef
- Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
- Drain any excess fat from the pot if necessary.
Add the Aromatics and Seasonings
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the seasonings.
Build and Simmer the Soup
- Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir until the tomato paste is evenly incorporated with the beef and onion mixture.
- Pour in the beef or chicken broth and stir well.
- Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Add the broken lasagna noodles directly to the simmering soup.
- Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking, until they are tender.
Make the Soup Creamy and Cheesy
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley, and heavy cream.
- Stir gently until the cheeses are melted and the soup is creamy and evenly combined. Avoid rapidly boiling the soup after adding the cream and cheese.
- Taste and adjust the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed. Add a small amount of broth or water if the soup is thicker than desired.
Assemble and Serve
- Divide the Parmesan and mozzarella reserved for serving among the bottoms of the individual soup bowls.
- Ladle the hot lasagna soup over the cheese in each bowl.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground beef: Drain excess fat after browning when necessary so the finished soup is not greasy.
- Broth: Beef broth gives the soup a deeper flavor, while chicken broth produces a slightly lighter result.
- Spice level: Reduce, increase, or omit the red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Noodles: Break the lasagna sheets into similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly and are easy to eat.
- Prevent sticking: Stir the soup occasionally after adding the noodles, especially near the bottom of the pot.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan and freshly shredded mozzarella melt more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Consistency: The noodles continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits. Add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.
- Serving bowls: Placing Parmesan and mozzarella in the bowls before adding the hot soup creates an extra-cheesy layer.
- Storage: Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding extra broth or water to loosen the soup as needed.
- Freezing: For the best texture, freeze the soup base without the noodles, cream, or cheese and add those ingredients after reheating.
