One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta

 

Introduction:

One-Pot Lasagna Soup with Ricotta brings all the comforting flavours of traditional lasagna into a warm, delicious bowl. It combines tender pasta, a rich tomato-based broth, Italian herbs, garlic, and savoury ground beef, finished with creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella. Unlike classic lasagna, there is no need to layer pasta sheets or spend hours assembling a baking dish. Everything cooks together in one pot, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners, cosy family meals, or whenever you crave Italian comfort food with less effort.

Preparation and Cooking Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 35 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

• Difficulty: Easy

• Servings: 4–5

Ingredients:

• For the Soup Base:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 450g ground beef

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

  • 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes, optional

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

• For the Tomato Broth:

  • 700ml beef broth or vegetable broth

  • 400g crushed tomatoes

  • 2 tbsp tomato sauce

  • 1 tsp sugar, optional

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 500ml water, as needed

• For the Pasta:

  • 200g lasagna sheets, broken into bite-sized pieces

  • 1/2 tsp salt, or as needed

• For the Cheese Topping:

  • 150g ricotta cheese

  • 100g shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 30g grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

  • A pinch of black pepper

Method:

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through. If there is excessive fat, carefully drain some of it before continuing.

Step 2: Cook the Aromatics

Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, red chilli flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavour.

Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Broth

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Add the bay leaf and optional sugar. Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Add the Lasagna Pasta

Break the lasagna sheets into smaller pieces and add them directly to the simmering soup. Stir gently to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Cook for approximately 10–12 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the pasta is tender but still holds its shape.

Step 5: Adjust the Soup Consistency

Check the consistency of the soup. If it has become too thick, add a little hot water or extra broth until it reaches your preferred texture. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 6: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until creamy and smooth. This mixture will add a rich, cheesy finish to every serving.

Step 7: Finish with Mozzarella

Turn off the heat and stir in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Allow it to melt into the hot soup. Keep the remaining mozzarella for topping individual bowls.

Step 8: Serve the Lasagna Soup

Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Add a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture to each bowl and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the cheese is soft and creamy.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve this hearty lasagna soup with garlic bread, toasted baguette slices, or a fresh green salad. The bread is perfect for soaking up the rich tomato broth and creamy cheese.

Tip:

Lasagna pasta continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so the soup may become thicker when refrigerated. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add extra broth or water to restore the consistency. For meal preparation, you can cook and store the soup base separately and add freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

Enjoy this comforting one-pot lasagna soup with rich tomato broth, tender pasta, and creamy ricotta for all the flavours of classic lasagna without the extra preparation!