Why You’ll Love this Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup
When the chill of autumn settles in, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup to warm you from the inside out. I’m obsessed with how this soup transforms lasagna’s complex layers into spoonable comfort without the fuss of assembly.
You’ll love how the Italian sausage creates a robust base while provolone or mozzarella melts into creamy pockets throughout. The bite-sized pasta eliminates awkward noodle slurping, and who doesn’t appreciate spinach that actually tastes good? Plus, it’s ready in about 20 minutes—perfect for weeknights when you want homemade flavor without the wait.
What Ingredients are in Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup?
In this Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup, we’ve taken everything you love about traditional lasagna and transformed it into a comforting, spoonable delight that comes together in a fraction of the time.
The beauty of this recipe is how it captures all those classic Italian flavors—tangy tomatoes, savory herbs, and creamy cheese—in a format that’s perfect for chilly evenings when you need something warming but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14½ ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, chopped
- 1 (10¾ ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup mafalda pasta or campanelle pasta
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup diced provolone or fresh mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- 4 teaspoons thinly sliced fresh basil (for garnish)
What I love about this ingredient list is its flexibility.
Don’t have mafalda pasta? Any small, shaped pasta works beautifully. The provolone adds a distinct tang, but fresh mozzarella creates those stretchy, Instagram-worthy cheese pulls that make soup season so satisfying.
For a healthier version, turkey Italian sausage can stand in for the pork variety, and you can always sneak in extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers if your crisper drawer needs cleaning out.
Just remember, the cheese garnish isn’t optional—it’s what transforms this from ordinary soup to lasagna in a bowl.
How to Make this Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup
Let’s start by building our flavor base. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound of bulk Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once the sausage has developed those lovely crispy edges, add 2 cups of chopped onions and 1 cup of diced carrots to the pot.
Sauté these veggies with the meat for about 3 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly and absorb all those savory sausage drippings. Next, stir in 2 cups of sliced mushrooms and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, and continue sautéing for another 3 minutes. The kitchen should be smelling absolutely divine at this point—that garlicky, savory aroma that makes everyone wonder what’s cooking.
Now it’s time to transform this mixture into a proper soup. Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth, add one 14½-ounce can of chopped Italian-style stewed tomatoes and one 10¾-ounce can of tomato sauce, then bring everything to a boil. The liquid will take on a beautiful rusty-red color as all those flavors begin to meld together.
Once boiling, drop in 1 cup of mafalda pasta (those mini lasagna-shaped noodles) or campanelle pasta and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes or according to what your pasta package suggests. In the last minute or two, stir in 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach and watch as it wilts into the soup, adding color and nutrition.
The final touch is what truly transforms this from an ordinary Italian soup into lasagna in a bowl. Place ¼ cup of diced provolone or fresh mozzarella cheese into each serving bowl, then ladle the hot soup directly over the cheese. The heat will begin melting the cheese immediately, creating pockets of gooey goodness throughout your soup.
Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese and a few thin slices of fresh basil. The contrast between the hot, savory soup and the cool, fresh basil is just magical—and reminiscent of a perfect lasagna with its layers of herbs and cheese. Serve immediately while everything is hot and the cheese is at peak meltiness.
Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup Substitutions and Variations
This deliciously adaptable soup welcomes countless substitutions and variations to match your pantry inventory or dietary needs.
Can’t find mafalda pasta? Regular lasagna noodles broken into pieces work perfectly, or try rotini, farfalle, or even tortellini for a cheese-filled twist.
Turkey or chicken sausage can replace the Italian sausage for a lighter option, while vegetarians might prefer plant-based sausage or extra mushrooms.
Kale or escarole stand in beautifully for spinach, and the cheese options are practically endless – ricotta dollops, smoked provolone, or even dairy-free alternatives.
Don’t have fresh basil? Dried herbs work in a pinch, though I do think fresh makes all the difference.
What to Serve with Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup
While we’ve explored countless ways to customize this hearty bowl, pairing your Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup with complementary sides creates a complete meal experience.
I’m partial to serving it with a simple garlic bread—crusty on the outside, soft within—perfect for sopping up those last spoonfuls of broth.
A crisp Caesar salad provides invigorating contrast to the soup’s richness.
Can you imagine those cool, crunchy greens alongside your steaming bowl?
For something heartier, try bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes and basil, or maybe a small charcuterie board with Italian cheeses and olives.
Final Thoughts
After cooking countless pots of soup over the years, I’ve found that few recipes bring together comfort, convenience, and culinary flair quite like this Cozy Italian Lasagna Soup.
It’s a brilliant solution when you’re craving lasagna but don’t have time for all those layers. The rich broth, tender pasta, and melty cheese create a bowl that’s both familiar and exciting.
Why not make this your new go-to for chilly evenings or when you need to feed a crowd?
Trust me, there’s something magical about that moment when the provolone melts into the steaming broth—pure comfort in every spoonful.
