One-Pot Lasagna Soup: The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Comfort Food Recipe & KitchenAid Giveaway!
As the crisp autumn air settles in and days grow shorter, there’s a universal craving for warm, hearty meals that offer both comfort and convenience. This easy one-pot lasagna soup perfectly embodies that desire, delivering all the rich, savory flavors of traditional lasagna in a simple, fuss-free format. Imagine tender pasta, a robust meat sauce, and creamy, melty cheese, all mingling together in a single pot. It’s the ideal comfort food solution for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious, satisfying dinner without a mountain of dishes. To make things even more exciting, we’re celebrating with an amazing KitchenAid mixer giveaway! Dive into this incredible recipe and find out how you can enter to win. #winning 😉
Navigating Life’s Adventures: The Pursuit of Simple, Wholesome Meals
This past month has presented an unusual flurry of travel for me. I’ve already embarked on three separate trips, each taking me away from my family, and tomorrow, I’m off again for another four-day adventure to Jamaica. For someone who considers herself quite the homebody, this level of constant movement is truly extraordinary. I deeply cherish my time at home, finding immense comfort in simple pleasures like curling up on the bed with my husband, a laptop on my lap, and a favorite Netflix series playing in the background. It’s a moment of pure bliss and relaxation that I often long for when I’m away.
While I’m grateful for the opportunities to explore new places and create lasting memories, constant travel undeniably impacts my routine and, most notably, my meal planning. Returning home, often feeling a bit disoriented and tired from the journey, the last thing I want to do is ponder elaborate dinner ideas. I’ve found myself staring into the refrigerator, completely devoid of inspiration for what to cook for my boys. This ongoing challenge has constantly driven me to search for simple, yet incredibly flavorful and satisfying recipes that can be whipped up with minimal effort and cleanup, perfect for easing back into home life after a busy period.
The Genesis of a Weeknight Favorite: Our One-Pot Lasagna Soup
The inspiration for this particular recipe struck during a delightful girls’ weekend trip with my sisters and sisters-in-law to Arizona. We gathered at my Mom and Dad’s charming cabin in Prescott, soaking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying much-needed quality time. I flew over from Los Angeles, and my oldest sister picked up my other sister and me from the airport. Together with my two sisters-in-law, who drove in from Mesa, we spent several relaxed evenings simply enjoying each other’s company at the cabin.
It was during an afternoon drive that one of my sisters-in-law began enthusiastically describing a fantastic lasagna soup she frequently prepares. Her detailed account of its rich flavors and incredible ease instantly captured my imagination. A soup that delivers the comforting essence of lasagna without the elaborate layering and baking? This sounded like the perfect antidote to my post-travel meal planning woes, promising a hearty, family-friendly dinner with minimal fuss. I knew I had to recreate it, but with my own signature twist.
True to my word, upon returning home, I immediately delved into experimenting with the concept. After some delicious trials, I perfected my own version: a truly easy, one-pot lasagna soup. My goal was to create a recipe that was not only bursting with authentic lasagna flavors but also incredibly quick and simple enough for even the busiest weeknights. This recipe delivers on both fronts, offering a savory, satisfying meal that requires just one pot, saving precious time on cleanup. If you, like me, are constantly on the hunt for innovative yet effortless meals to streamline your weekly cooking, then this one-pot lasagna soup is an absolute must-try! My boys, who are notoriously honest critics, absolutely adored it, and it has since become a cherished staple in our dinner rotation.
I sincerely hope that on the next chilly day, you’ll gather your ingredients and give this comforting soup a try. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience that brings warmth and joy to the dinner table. And while you’re here, don’t forget to scroll down and enter our exciting KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway! It’s a fantastic opportunity to win a powerful tool that can transform your kitchen adventures. Wishing you the best of luck!
Why This One-Pot Lasagna Soup Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
This isn’t merely a soup; it’s a brilliant reimagining of a beloved classic, designed for modern, busy households. Here’s a deeper look into why this one-pot lasagna soup is poised to become your new favorite:
- Unbeatable Convenience: The crowning glory of this recipe is its “one-pot” nature. From browning the meat to simmering the pasta, everything happens in a single cooking vessel. This drastically reduces your post-dinner cleanup, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy the evening with your family.
- Remarkably Quick: Forget the multi-hour commitment of traditional lasagna. This soup comes together in approximately 30-40 minutes from start to finish. It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when time is short but you still want a wholesome, homemade meal.
- Layers of Authentic Lasagna Flavor: Despite its simplicity, this soup doesn’t skimp on taste. It captures the essence of classic lasagna with savory lean ground beef, aromatic Italian seasoning, rich tomato paste, and diced tomatoes, all simmering in a flavorful broth. Each spoonful delivers a burst of Italian-inspired deliciousness.
- A Guaranteed Family Favorite: The familiar and appealing flavors of lasagna are presented in an easy-to-eat soup format, which often makes it a hit even with the pickiest eaters. It’s a hearty meal that satisfies everyone at the table.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s an undeniable warmth and coziness that comes with a bowl of homemade soup, and this lasagna version takes comfort to a new level. It’s robust, satisfying, and utterly perfect for chasing away the chill on a cool evening.
- Nutritious and Wholesome: Made with lean ground beef and fresh zucchini, this soup offers a balanced meal with good protein and vegetable content. You can easily adapt it by adding more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for an extra nutritional boost.
One Pot Easy Lasagna Soup
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Ingredients
Lasagna Soup
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 2 15-oz cans petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
- 3 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
- 2 small zucchini sliced
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Cheese Topping
- 1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 Tbsp. prepared parmesan cheese
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- pinch of pepper
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, typically 5-7 minutes.
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Add the minced garlic to the pot and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t brown or burn.
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Introduce the lean ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a spoon and brown it thoroughly. Once the beef is fully cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot.
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Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to deepen and meld. Next, pour in the chicken broth, the undrained petite-diced tomatoes, the uncooked bowtie pasta, and the sliced zucchini. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 11-13 minutes, or until both the pasta and zucchini are tender to your liking. Stir periodically to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
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Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and pepper according to your preference. Remember that chicken broth and canned tomatoes already contribute some sodium.
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While the soup finishes cooking, prepare the decadent cheese topping. In a small mixing bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta cheese, prepared parmesan cheese, 1/8 tsp. salt, a pinch of pepper, and the mozzarella cheese. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and creamy.
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Ladle the steaming hot lasagna soup into individual serving bowls. Top each portion with a generous spoonful or dollop of the rich, creamy cheese mixture. Serve immediately and savor every spoonful of this incredibly easy and delightful one-pot meal!
Expert Tips for Making the Best One-Pot Lasagna Soup
To ensure your one-pot lasagna soup turns out perfectly every single time, here are some invaluable tips and potential variations:
- Achieving Perfect Pasta Texture: The key to great soup is not overcooking the pasta. Keep a close eye on it during the last few minutes of simmering. You want it to be tender with a slight bite (al dente) to avoid it becoming mushy, especially if you plan on having leftovers. While bowtie pasta adds a fun shape, you can absolutely break traditional lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces for a more authentic texture.
- Mastering the Seasoning: The provided amounts for salt and pepper are a starting point. Always taste your soup before the final serve and adjust the seasonings to match your personal preference. For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the Italian seasoning can add a wonderful kick.
- Don’t Skimp on the Cheese Topping: The creamy ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella topping is what truly transforms this hearty soup into a “lasagna soup.” It adds that signature rich, gooey, and irresistible cheesy element that makes lasagna so beloved. For an even more decadent soup base, consider stirring in a small amount of heavy cream or cream cheese at the very end of cooking.
- Make it Your Own with Variations:
- Vegetarian Twist: Easily convert this recipe to a vegetarian delight by omitting the ground beef. Instead, you can add a can of drained brown or green lentils, or your favorite plant-based ground substitute.
- Boost the Veggies: Feel free to incorporate extra vegetables like fresh spinach (stirred in during the last few minutes until wilted), sliced mushrooms, or diced bell peppers along with the zucchini to enhance flavor and nutritional value.
- Spice it Up: A dash of smoked paprika or a pinch of dried oregano can add extra depth to the broth.
- Meal Prep and Storage: This soup is an excellent candidate for meal prepping! It keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze cooled portions for up to 3 months. When reheating from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and gently warm it on the stovetop, adding a splash of extra chicken broth or water if the consistency is too thick.
- Perfect Pairings: Enhance your lasagna soup experience by serving it with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping into the rich broth. A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette also makes a wonderful accompaniment, providing a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
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