A Cozy and Indulgent Soup Inspired by Classic Lasagna
Lasagna lovers, rejoice! This Cheesy Lasagna Soup with an Alfredo Twist is a rich and creamy take on the traditional Italian dish, combining the comforting flavors of lasagna with a velvety Alfredo-inspired broth. This one-pot wonder is packed with ground beef, Italian sausage, lasagna noodles, and a blend of cheeses that melt beautifully into a luscious, creamy soup base. Whether you’re looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal, this soup is sure to satisfy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the classic lasagna flavors in a single bowl – no layering required!
- Alfredo twist adds a creamy, indulgent element.
- One-pot meal for easy cleanup and minimal prep.
- Customizable with your favorite proteins and vegetables.
- Hearty and satisfying, perfect for colder months.
Ingredients
For the soup base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
For the Alfredo twist:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For garnish:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. Brown the Meat
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
2. Sauté Aromatics
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion is soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
3. Build the Broth
Pour in chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle boil.
4. Cook the Noodles
Add broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender.
5. Make the Alfredo Sauce
In a separate small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in heavy cream and garlic powder. Slowly add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until smooth and creamy.
6. Combine and Serve
Pour the Alfredo sauce into the soup, stirring until fully incorporated. Let simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Ladle into bowls and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese, fresh basil, and extra Parmesan. Serve hot and enjoy!
Variations and Additions
- Make it vegetarian: Swap out the meat for mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Spice it up: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use a different pasta: If you don’t have lasagna noodles, try rotini or mafaldine.
- Make it lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and ground turkey instead of beef.
- Boost the protein: Add shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef and sausage.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This soup can be frozen for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
- Reheating: Warm on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of broth or cream if the soup has thickened too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent the noodles from getting too soft?
To avoid mushy noodles, cook them separately and add them to individual servings before eating. This helps maintain their texture when storing leftovers.
Can I use jarred Alfredo sauce instead of making my own?
Yes! If you’re short on time, a quality jarred Alfredo sauce can work as a substitute. Just stir in about 1 cup towards the end of cooking.
What’s the best type of cheese for this soup?
A combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta gives this soup its signature cheesy flavor. You can also add provolone or fontina for extra depth.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic first, then transfer everything except the Alfredo sauce to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, then stir in the Alfredo sauce before serving.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking that your broth and tomato sauce are GF-certified.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can try using dairy-free milk and cheese alternatives, though the soup may not be as creamy.
What sides go well with this soup?
A simple side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables pair perfectly with this rich soup.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes! Make the soup base ahead and store it separately from the Alfredo sauce and noodles. When ready to serve, heat everything together and enjoy.
What if I don’t have lasagna noodles?
Any pasta with a similar texture, such as pappardelle, bowtie, or broken-up fettuccine, will work.
How do I thicken the soup if it’s too thin?
Simmer the soup uncovered for a few more minutes, or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) to thicken it up.
Conclusion
Cheesy Lasagna Soup with an Alfredo Twist is the perfect way to enjoy all the flavors of lasagna in a warm, comforting bowl. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this creamy, cheesy soup will leave everyone coming back for more. Give it a try and enjoy a unique twist on a classic favorite!
PrintCheesy Lasagna Soup with an Alfredo Twist
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in this rich and creamy Cheesy Lasagna Soup with an Alfredo Twist! A one-pot meal featuring ground beef, Italian sausage, lasagna noodles, and a velvety, cheesy broth—perfect for cozy nights. Ready in 40 minutes!
Ingredients
For the soup base:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
For the Alfredo twist:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For garnish:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and sausage, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Cook until browned (5-7 minutes), then drain excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics
- Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until soft (about 3 minutes).
- Build the Broth
- Pour in chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Noodles
- Add broken lasagna noodles and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
- Stir in heavy cream and garlic powder.
- Slowly whisk in mozzarella and Parmesan until smooth.
- Combine and Serve
- Pour Alfredo sauce into the soup and stir until incorporated.
- Simmer for 2 more minutes and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and top with ricotta, fresh basil, and Parmesan. Serve hot!
Notes
- Make it vegetarian: Use mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach instead of meat.
- Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Use a different pasta: Try rotini or mafaldine if you don’t have lasagna noodles.
- Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use ground turkey.
- Boost protein: Swap beef and sausage for shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food
- Method: Comfort Food, Family-Friendly
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Lasagna soup, creamy lasagna soup, Alfredo lasagna soup, one-pot soup, comfort food