There are few dishes in the culinary world as universally adored as a bubbling, cheesy, deeply savory pan of lasagna. It’s the epitome of comfort food—a layered masterpiece of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheeses. But let’s be honest: crafting a traditional lasagna is a project. It involves multiple pots, a meticulous assembly process, and a significant time commitment in the oven. What if you could capture every single bit of that iconic flavor in a fraction of the time, using just one pot? Enter the hero of your weeknight dinner routine: Cozy One Pot Lasagna Soup.

This recipe is nothing short of a revelation. It deconstructs the classic casserole and transforms it into a spoonable, soul-warming soup that delivers on every lasagna promise. The same savory ground beef, the tangy tomato base, the tender pasta, and the irresistible, gooey cheese blend are all here, but they come together in a single Dutch oven or stockpot with minimal cleanup. It’s the ultimate smart, satisfying solution for busy days, chilly evenings, or any time you’re craving that quintessential Italian comfort without the lengthy process. This isn’t just a soup; it’s a hug in a bowl, a celebration of flavor that respects your time and delights your taste buds.

The magic of this dish lies in its ingenious simplicity. By breaking the lasagna noodles directly into the pot, they cook right in the flavorful broth, absorbing all the deliciousness and thickening the soup to a perfect, hearty consistency. From stovetop to table in well under an hour, this Cozy One Pot Lasagna Soup is about to become your new favorite recipe for feeding a family, impressing guests, or simply treating yourself to a spectacularly easy meal.

The Secret to a Rich, Lasagna-Like Broth

The foundation of any great soup is its broth, and for a lasagna soup, that broth needs to be robust and complex, mimicking the intensity of a long-simmered lasagna sauce. The secret starts with building layers of flavor from the very beginning.

We begin by browning the ground beef with onions and garlic, allowing the fond—those delicious browned bits—to develop on the bottom of the pot. This fond is pure flavor gold. Deglazing the pot with a touch of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, and allowing it to “cook out” for a minute, deepens the tomato flavor, removing any tinny taste and creating a richer, sweeter base. The addition of Italian seasoning and a splash of red wine (optional but highly recommended) introduces an aromatic complexity that is essential to the lasagna profile.

The final key is the broth itself. Using a combination of chicken broth and a dash of heavy cream or half-and-half replicates the creamy, rich character of a besciamella (white sauce) that is traditionally found in many lasagnas. This creates a broth that is far from a simple tomato soup; it’s a luxurious, velvety liquid that coats every ingredient and makes every spoonful taste authentically, unmistakably like lasagna.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work in harmony to create the classic lasagna flavor profile.

For the Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal for flavor)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a subtle kick)
6 cups chicken broth, low sodium
½ cup dry red wine, like a Chianti or Merlot (optional, can substitute with more broth)
¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
10-12 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces (about 10 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Cheesy Topping & Garnish:

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until well-browned and no longer pink. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper during cooking.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the Tomato Base: Push the meat and onions to one side and add the tomato paste to the cleared space. Let it cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to slightly caramelize.
Deglaze and Simmer: If using red wine, pour it into the pot now. Scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon to release all the browned bits. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes. This step adds incredible depth.
Combine the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cook the Pasta: Increase the heat to medium to bring the soup back to a lively simmer. Add the broken lasagna noodle pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite).
Finish the Soup: Once the pasta is cooked, taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. The pasta will have released starch, naturally thickening the broth to a perfect consistency. If the soup is too thick, you can add a splash more broth or water.
Prepare the Cheese Topping: While the pasta is cooking, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta, grated Parmesan, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir until smooth.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, and a garnish of fresh basil or parsley. The residual heat from the soup will gently melt the cheeses. Serve immediately.

Tips for the Perfect Bowl

Don’t Skip the Tomato Paste Toast: Allowing the tomato paste to cook for a minute directly on the hot surface of the pot caramelizes its sugars and eliminates any raw, tinny taste, resulting in a much richer, deeper tomato flavor.
Break the Noodles Strategically: Break the lasagna noodles directly over the pot into rough, uneven 1 to 2-inch pieces. The varied sizes create a wonderful textural experience and help thicken the soup more effectively than uniform pieces.
Avoid Overcooking the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente. It will continue to soften as it sits in the hot soup. If you plan on having leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls when serving to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Customize Your Protein: Ground Italian sausage (mild or hot) can be used in place of half or all of the ground beef for an extra layer of fennel and spice. For a lighter version, ground turkey or chicken works beautifully.

Delicious Variations to Try

This soup is a fantastic canvas for creativity. Here are a few ways to make it your own:

Vegetarian Delight: Omit the ground beef and use a cup of rinsed red lentils or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Spicy Arrabbiata Twist: Add an extra teaspoon of red pepper flakes and a tablespoon of Calabrian chili paste when building the tomato base for a fiery kick.
Pesto Swirl: Instead of the ricotta mixture, top each bowl with a dollop of good-quality basil pesto for a fresh, herby finish.

Serving Suggestions & Final Thoughts

This Cozy One Pot Lasagna Soup is a complete meal in a bowl, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with a sharp Italian vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A few slices of warm, crusty garlic bread or buttery breadsticks are non-negotiable for sopping up every last drop of the incredible broth.

This recipe is more than just a convenient meal; it’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need to sacrifice flavor for simplicity. It delivers the soul-satisfying essence of a classic, labor-intensive dish in an accessible, quick, and utterly delicious format. It’s the perfect answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” on any night you need a guaranteed hit. So, grab your favorite pot, and get ready to experience lasagna in a whole new, wonderfully comforting way.