Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Soup Recipe

Name: Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed; 2 cups chopped onions; 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes; 1 cup uncooked mafalda pasta; 2 cups chopped fresh spinach; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese; 4 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes
1 cup uncooked mafalda pasta
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
cup Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Directions

In a large pot, cook and stir the sausage over medium heat until browned, which should take about 5 minutes.
Once the sausage is browned, add the chopped onions, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for a few minutes until the onions become soft.
Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the uncooked mafalda pasta to the soup. Stir occasionally, allowing the pasta to cook for about 10 minutes, or until it is nearly tender.
Stir in the fresh spinach, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Mix well to combine. Remove the pot from the heat.
Stir in the sliced fresh basil, and let the soup sit for about 2 minutes until the pasta is fully tender and the cheese has melted.

Tips

Feel free to substitute any pasta shape you prefer for the mafalda pasta.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories	281
Total Fat	12g (16% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat	5g (24% Daily Value)
Cholesterol	75mg (25% Daily Value)
Sodium	2113mg (92% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate	20g (7% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber	3g (11% Daily Value)
Total Sugars	9g
Protein	25g (49% Daily Value)
Vitamin C	13mg (14% Daily Value)
Calcium	229mg (18% Daily Value)
Iron	3mg (14% Daily Value)
Potassium	827mg (18% Daily Value)

Servings per recipe: 6

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Description: This cheesy, tomato-based lasagna soup recipe combines Italian turkey sausage, sliced mushrooms, and fresh spinach for a bowl of comfort food that tastes like lasagna in a hearty soup form.

History and Origins of Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup is a modern take on the classic Italian lasagna dish, which has been a staple in Italian cuisine for centuries. The origins of lasagna itself trace back to Ancient Greece, where a similar dish called "Laganon" was made by layering pasta sheets with sauce. The dish evolved in Italy, where the introduction of ricotta cheese and a rich meat sauce led to the traditional lasagna we know today.

Lasagna soup emerged in the 2000s as an inventive way to enjoy the flavors of lasagna without the labor-intensive process of layering pasta and baking. It became especially popular in the United States as an easy, one-pot alternative to the classic lasagna, incorporating all the beloved ingredientscheese, sausage, tomato sauce, and pastainto a comforting soup.

Regional Variations and Adaptations

Although lasagna soup has become a popular dish in the U.S., variations of lasagna can be found all across Italy. From the rich, meaty lasagna alla bolognese of Emilia-Romagna to the more refined lasagna alla napoletana from Naples, regional differences in the ingredients and cooking techniques are abundant. However, lasagna soup is primarily an American innovation, drawing on the versatility of soup to recreate the beloved lasagna experience in a new way.

How Lasagna Soup Differs from Traditional Lasagna

Unlike traditional lasagna, which requires layers of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce baked in the oven, lasagna soup offers a quicker and simpler alternative. The pasta is cooked directly in the broth, creating a hearty, comforting soup. While the flavors are similarrich tomato sauce, savory sausage, and melty cheesethe soup version has a lighter, broth-based consistency that makes it more adaptable for different dietary preferences. It can easily be customized with various types of sausage, pasta, or vegetables, making it a versatile dish for many tastes.

Where is Lasagna Soup Typically Served?

Lasagna soup is a popular choice for casual family dinners, potlucks, and weeknight meals. Its a go-to dish in the colder months, providing warmth and comfort. Because its easy to prepare in a single pot, its a great meal for busy weeknights or when hosting guests. Additionally, lasagna soup is often paired with crusty bread or a side salad for a full meal. You might also find it served in Italian-American restaurants as an alternative to the traditional lasagna dish.

Interesting Facts About Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup is often a favorite among home cooks for its ease of preparation. It can be made in under an hour, making it a great weeknight meal.
While traditional lasagna uses sheets of pasta, lasagna soup allows for more flexibility in pasta choice. Mafalda pasta is commonly used, but any small pasta shape, like rotini or bowties, works just as well.
The dish is highly customizable; you can add vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms, or even swap the sausage for ground beef or turkey.
Lasagna soup also allows for variation in cheese; many recipes include ricotta or cottage cheese, while others opt for mozzarella and Parmesan for a richer, cheesier flavor.
Lasagna soup is perfect for meal prep. The flavors deepen and meld the longer it sits, and leftovers often taste even better the next day.

FAQ about Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Soup Recipe

Yes, you can store this soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just be aware that the pasta may continue to absorb liquid, so you may need to add some broth when reheating to maintain the desired consistency.

Yes, this soup can be frozen. It is best to freeze it before adding the cheese, as dairy can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed. After cooking, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove. Add the cheese when reheating.

Absolutely! You can use any type of pasta you prefer. Mafalda is traditional, but penne, fusilli, or even broken lasagna noodles work well. Just adjust the cooking time according to the type of pasta you use.

Yes, you can substitute the Italian turkey sausage with ground beef, chicken, or even vegetarian sausage if you prefer. You can also use plant-based sausage for a vegan version of the soup.

You can enhance the flavor of this soup by adding a splash of red wine, more herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary, or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for heat. Some people also add a bit of Parmesan cheese to the soup base for extra richness.

If the soup becomes too thick after cooking or while storing leftovers, simply add a bit of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water to thin it out to your preferred consistency. Stir well and reheat as needed.

Yes, both a slow cooker and pressure cooker can be used to make this soup. For a slow cooker, cook the sausage and vegetables first, then transfer to the slow cooker with the liquids and pasta. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. For a pressure cooker, follow the same steps but cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes and allow a natural release.

Yes, feel free to add extra vegetables! You could try adding zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or even kale. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed depending on the vegetables you add.

Yes, canned tomatoes are a great alternative. You can use Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes with added herbs. The canned variety adds great flavor and is a convenient substitute for fresh tomatoes.

Yes, to make this soup vegetarian, use plant-based sausage or omit the sausage altogether and replace it with additional vegetables or beans. For added protein, you could also use lentils or tofu.

Comments

Staci

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Yum! That's pretty much all I've got to say about that. Doesn't exactly taste like lasagna, more like a thicker minestrone - but it's delicious! I used farfalle, because I couldn't find the pasta called for - about 1 1/4 cup. And regular Italian Sausage, as its what I had on hand. This is a keeper! Oooh! I think adding some zucchini would be awesome too!

Jennifer

10/23/2019 12:31:07 AM

This is fantastic!! I made it exactly as written, and it was great. It wasn’t quite a lasagna taste, so I added about 1/3 cup of part skim ricotta, and that just took it over the top. I will definitely be making this on a regular basis! Thank you so much for sharing!!

Nancy Connelly

11/24/2020 10:56:44 PM

I searched long for the noodles and found them. They make the soup !! I wouldn't say it tastes just like Lasagna , but its a delicious soup. I substituted Italian sausage. I made it in a pressure cooker.

Kathy Mac

10/26/2019 10:45:29 PM

Smelled wonderful while it was cooking! Substituted some red wine for part of the broth. Used 1 1/2 cups pasta. I agree with some other reviewers that stirring the cheese into the soup wasn't a good idea. Mine seemed to stick to the sides of the pan rather than incorporate into the soup. Will make again but will put the cheese on top.

Kent Shymanski

10/28/2019 09:36:27 AM

I added peppers a mixed bag of red, yellow and orange , lot s of garlic ( if that s your thing). Used ground beef instead of sirloin and didn t have pressure cooker so made it as a regular soup. Still turned out amazing, thinking spinach next time I make it! Oh and the parmesian cheese just after you put it in the bowl tops it all off beautifully!

Slacker Darrel

10/24/2019 01:16:35 PM

Was a hit at our house, only thing I didnt like was adding the cheese to the whole pot, next time I’ll add it per bowl. Tip.. add tomatoes and sauce first so you can rinse your cans with the stock

Cynthia

10/23/2020 01:11:23 PM

Overall, delicious soup. I thought it sounded a little bland as written so I substituted hot Italian sausage. Do wait to add the cheeses to each bowl otherwise they just make a gloppy mess on the bottom of the pot.

pls

10/28/2019 04:46:23 PM

This is so much easier to make than lasagna. Changes I made was hot Italian pork sausage and hamburger, beef broth, added Italian Seasonings to give it a better lasagna taste and little Oregano. Big hit at my house! I also put the cheeses in the servings rather than in the pot.

Wilma DeGraffenreid

11/16/2020 09:41:50 PM

Wow! This was delicious! I didn't have any mushrooms or fresh basil, so I added 1/2 lb. browned ground beef and dried basil instead, and continued to make it as directed. My husband loved it. I've added this recipe to my favorites.

Bobo

10/17/2020 12:56:56 PM

This is a delicious dish! I made the following changes due to ingredients I didn't have. I used 5 oz of tomato paste and extra chicken broth instead of tomato sauce. I substituted 1 cup of reconstituted dried mushrooms for 1 cup of fresh mushrooms. I used a mix of elbow and spiral pasta. I used a 10 oz box of frozen spinach that I defrosted in the microwave. Lastly, I used hot italian sausage instead of turkey sausage. The result was outstanding! NOTE: Adjust the amount of chicken broth (or stock) to make the dish more soupy or more stew-like.

Rmot

10/23/2019 07:30:18 AM

Turkey sausage does not taste good in our home.....allergies to onion, garlic, and tomatoes. The fresh mushrooms are excellent and we had Lasagna pasta to add. The fresh spinach was a nice addition. Next time, we will use low sodium beef broth. Thanks for reading. A French baguette will be eaten with the soup next time.

Annjell

11/04/2024 11:49:39 PM

I make this exactly as described except for one replacement. I use pumpkin instead of tomatoes due to a food allergy. Everything else is done exactly the same and the entire family LOVES this!

Jessica Nguyen

08/27/2024 10:31:21 PM

This one’s a keeper.

Brenda C Giroux

02/13/2024 11:29:49 PM

AMAZING

Soup Loving Nicole

03/26/2023 06:46:24 PM

My store didn't carry mafalda pasta and I can't say I'd ever heard of it. The cook's notes state to use any pasta shape you like so broken up lasagna noodles it was. I really liked this soup. It didn't exactly taste like lasagna but it was good and I'd make it again.

Judie Smith

02/25/2022 04:09:03 PM

We all love this soup. I have made it a few times!

1Rockypug

02/15/2022 07:02:32 PM

Delicious! This is a keeper recipe for sure. I made a few minor changes. Used Lasagna noodles (broken up) and used fresh mozzarella cheese. I did also add Italian seasoning. Very good!!

dbaileybeach

02/09/2022 08:34:04 PM

Wonderful. Easy to make. I used mild Italian sausage as I had that on hand.

Erika Carver

05/19/2021 10:24:23 PM

Try with cheese tortellini! Great!!

Lane Baysden

03/29/2021 11:23:11 PM

Loved this. Had to use fettuccini because I couldn’t find the required noodles, and I did use a bulk spicy Italian sausage from the butcher. I did not have seasoned diced tomatoes so I added Italian Seasoning from the spice jar. This was fast, easy and the perfect thing to make if you’re in a rush. This made a ton of food for just me, but I am guessing the leftovers will be amazing. I’ll definitely make this again!!

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