Why You’ll Love this Italian Lasagna Soup
If you’ve ever found yourself craving the rich, comforting flavors of lasagna but didn’t want to spend hours layering noodles and sauce, this Italian Lasagna Soup is about to become your new best friend. I’m absolutely smitten with how it transforms traditional lasagna into a cozy, spoonable delight that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
The beauty lies in its simplicity—Italian sausage, tender pasta, and vegetables swimming in a tomato-rich broth, all topped with melty cheese. It’s fundamentally lasagna’s laid-back cousin who doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers that same soul-warming satisfaction.
What Ingredients are in Italian Lasagna Soup?
This Italian Lasagna Soup transforms all the classic flavors of traditional lasagna into a comforting, hearty bowl that’s much faster to prepare. The ingredients create that perfect balance of savory, tangy, and hearty elements, with the protein, vegetables, and pasta working together to deliver a truly satisfying meal. The best part? You probably have many of these ingredients already sitting in your pantry or refrigerator.
- 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 these ingredients, quality matters for a few key items. The Italian sausage provides the backbone of flavor, so choose a brand you trust—mild or hot works depending on your spice preference. For the pasta, mafalda (mini lasagna noodles) creates the most authentic lasagna experience, but campanelle catches the broth beautifully if you can’t find mafalda. And don’t skip the fresh cheeses at the end; they melt into the hot soup creating those stretchy, gooey cheese pulls that make this soup truly reminiscent of its casserole inspiration.
How to Make this Italian Lasagna Soup
To start making this soul-warming lasagna soup, you’ll need to brown 1 pound of bulk Italian sausage in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the sausage has developed a nice golden color, add 2 cups of chopped onions and 1 cup of diced carrots, sautéing them for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Next, toss in 2 cups of sliced mushrooms and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, giving everything another 3 minutes to become fragrant and slightly tender. The kitchen smells amazing at this point, with all those Italian aromas filling the air.
Now for the liquid base—pour in 4 cups of chicken broth, a 14½-ounce can of Italian-style stewed tomatoes (chopped), and a 10¾-ounce can of tomato sauce. Bring this flavorful mixture to a gentle boil before adding 1 cup of mafalda pasta (those mini lasagna-shaped noodles) or campanelle pasta.
Let the soup simmer until the pasta reaches al dente perfection, about 10 minutes or according to the package directions. Right before serving, stir in 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts into the soup, which happens surprisingly fast. The vibrant green adds such a nice pop of color, don’t you think?
The finishing touch is what makes this soup truly special. Place ¼ cup of diced provolone or fresh mozzarella cheese at the bottom of each serving bowl, then ladle the hot soup right on top. Using a premium cookware set ensures even heat distribution for perfectly cooked ingredients every time. The cheese gets all melty and stretchy, creating that authentic lasagna experience with each spoonful.
Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese and about 4 teaspoons of thinly sliced fresh basil. The result? A bowl of comfort that delivers all the flavors of lasagna in a wonderfully slurpable form. Perfect for those nights when you’re craving lasagna but don’t have the patience to layer all those noodles.
Italian Lasagna Soup Substitutions and Variations
While this homemade lasagna soup is delicious as written, part of the joy of soup-making comes from adapting recipes to suit your tastes or pantry situation.
I’m a firm believer in flexible cooking! You can easily swap Italian sausage for ground turkey or beef, or go vegetarian with plant-based crumbles. Don’t have mafalda pasta? Any short pasta works beautifully—bowties, rotini, or even broken lasagna noodles create that classic lasagna feel. The cheese is another playground for experimentation: ricotta dollops, smoked mozzarella, or fontina can transform the flavor profile entirely. For a lighter version, I’d suggest using half the cheese and doubling the spinach, kale, or adding zucchini.
What to Serve with Italian Lasagna Soup
Since Italian lasagna soup already packs a hearty punch with its robust flavors and filling ingredients, I’ve found that simple, complementary sides work best to round out the meal.
A crusty garlic bread or focaccia creates the perfect vehicle for sopping up those last precious spoonfuls of broth.
For something lighter, try a crisp Caesar salad with homemade dressing or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
The peppery greens cut through the richness beautifully.
Don’t overlook a good Italian wine pairing—a medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese complements the tomato and herb notes without overwhelming them.
Final Thoughts
After simmering away in my kitchen countless times, this hearty Italian lasagna soup has become my go-to comfort food when I’m craving the flavors of lasagna without the lengthy assembly process. The combination of savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and melty cheese creates that quintessential lasagna experience in each spoonful.
I love how adaptable this recipe is—switch up the greens, try different cheeses, or adjust the broth consistency to your preference. What makes this soup truly special is how it brings everyone to the table with anticipation, steam rising from bowls of comfort that nourish both body and soul.
