Save It This Lasagne Soup with Smoked Sausage and Spinach is pure comfort in a bowl for busy nights when you crave lasagne but want a cozy one-pot meal instead. Think all the familiar flavors: savory sausage, lush tomato broth, tender pasta, gooey cheese, and a handful of fresh greens coming together with minimal fuss but maximum payoff. It is my go-to dish for chilly evenings when everyone wants seconds and washing a mountain of dishes is out of the question.
I threw this together for a potluck once and it vanished instantly. The cheese-topped bowls had kids and grownups hovering around the stove, begging for more.
Ingredients
- Smoked sausage: Slices add deep, savory flavor and a bit of smokiness that makes this soup irresistible. Look for a well-seasoned link with a firm bite
- Yellow onion: Sweetens the broth and lends that classic base of flavor. Pick a firm onion with shiny skin
- Garlic cloves: Freshly minced for punchy background flavor every soup needs
- Fresh spinach: Brightens and freshens the soup just before serving. The leaves should be deep green with no wilt
- Carrot: Adds gentle sweetness and color if using. A crisp carrot will give a cleaner flavor
- Lasagne noodles: Broken pieces deliver lasagne vibes in every spoonful. Choose dry noodles that are thick enough to hold up without getting mushy
- Chicken or vegetable broth: Provides a rich savory base. Opt for low-sodium if you want to control the salt
- Crushed tomatoes: Offers body and tang. Go for a good-quality brand for the richest taste
- Ricotta cheese: The creaminess on top mimics classic lasagne layers. Whole milk ricotta is best for richness
- Parmesan cheese: Salty and nutty bite to finish. Buy a wedge and grate fresh if you can for the deepest flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully making each bite gooey and irresistible. Pre-shredded works in a pinch but fresh yields better melt
- Dried basil and oregano: Echoes of classic Italian seasoning. Use fresher jars or packets and give them a quick rub between your fingers to wake up the oils
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Extra heat if you like it spicy
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and drawing out all the other flavors
- Olive oil: Choose extra-virgin for both sautéing and a peppery aroma
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage:
- Slice the smoked sausage into half-moons and add them to your preheated pot with olive oil. Brown the slices for three minutes so the edges crisp and fat starts rendering to build the flavor base
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables:
- Toss in diced onion and carrot. Cook for five minutes on medium until the onion turns translucent and carrot softens. Stir in minced garlic and cook for one more minute so it becomes fragrant but not burnt
- Build the Broth:
- Pour in your crushed tomatoes and broth while scraping the bottom to release any sticky browned bits from the sausage and onions. Stir in dried basil oregano red pepper flakes plus a good pinch each of salt and black pepper. Allow everything to come to a bubbling boil
- Cook the Pasta:
- Break lasagne noodles into rough pieces and drop directly into the simmering soup. Stir every few minutes so they cook evenly and nothing sticks. Keep an eye out: after twelve to fifteen minutes they should be just al dente but not soft
- Add Fresh Spinach:
- Add chopped spinach in handfuls stirring so it wilts quickly in the hot soup. Let it cook for two minutes until it is tender and bright green. Taste and adjust seasoning at this stage
- Serve and Top:
- Ladle the soup into wide bowls. Each serving should get a generous spoonful of creamy ricotta a sprinkle of mozzarella and finishing of Parmesan. Serve immediately so the cheese melts and swirls into the soup
Save It The smoked sausage is my not-so-secret ingredient. My grandfather used to bring smoky links home from the butcher and whenever I use them it takes me right back to childhood kitchen adventures with him. It is the backbone of this recipe and the reason everyone goes back for another bowl.
Storage Tips
This soup keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days: just reheat gently to avoid drying out the noodles. If you freeze it hold back the cheese toppings and spinach until you are ready to serve so the texture stays just right. I often freeze in single portions for quick work lunches that beat any sandwich.
Ingredient Swaps and Shortcuts
Craving a lighter bowl Swap smoked sausage for either turkey or chicken versions. No spinach Try kale or even Swiss chard for a heartier feel. Cannellini beans work for a meatless version and bring their own creamy body to the broth. For gluten-free needs buy gluten-free lasagne sheets or sub with small pasta shapes like rice noodles.
Serving Ideas
This soup is filling enough for a main meal but it shines with good garlic bread for dunking or a crisp green salad tossed with lemon and olive oil. For a cozier touch scatter extra mozzarella and run the bowls under a broiler for two minutes to get those golden cheese bubbles. I love to set out extra ricotta and red pepper flakes for folks to customize.
Lasagne Soup’s History
Lasagne soup is a twist on the classic baked pasta dish: a shortcut created in American home kitchens by busy cooks who wanted the taste of lasagne without the prep and bake time. The soup version still captures the soul of Italy’s favorite casserole but with a bit of weeknight magic. For me making it feels like an homage to both tradition and creative improvisation.
Adapting for the Season
Add roasted zucchini or bell pepper in the summer for extra veg In autumn try stirring in diced butternut squash or a swirl of pumpkin puree to the broth A handful of fresh basil or parsley at the end brightens up the flavor when herbs are in season
Success Stories
This recipe has won raves in my house and even saved a holiday when I realized I had no noodles for baked lasagne. One friend adds extra garlic another uses her garden chard and both declare it a new family must-have. The soup’s forgiving nature means it evolves with whatever you have in your pantry.
Freezer Meal Conversion
To make freezer-friendly portions cook the recipe up to the point of adding cheese and spinach. Cool and freeze in airtight containers. When ready to eat reheat gently on the stove add the spinach until wilted then finish with fresh ricotta parmesan and mozzarella right before serving for best taste and texture.
Save It This soup is destined to be a weeknight staple. Every bowl brings warmth comfort and the flavors you love in classic lasagne without the extra work.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → Can I use turkey sausage instead of smoked sausage?
Absolutely. Turkey or chicken sausage offers a lighter alternative with great flavor.
- → Are other leafy greens suitable besides spinach?
Kale is a great substitution for spinach and adds a different texture and earthiness.
- → What’s the best way to break lasagne noodles for soup?
Use your hands or a knife to snap the noodles into bite-sized pieces before adding to the pot.
- → How do I make this soup vegetarian?
Replace smoked sausage with plant-based options and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- → Which wines pair well with this dish?
Chianti or Sangiovese complement the tomato-based broth and smoky sausage flavors beautifully.
- → Can dairy be omitted for allergies?
For a dairy-free version, omit cheeses or use vegan alternatives for ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.