LASAGNA SOUP: PROTEIN PACKED

Craving the comforting flavors of lasagna but want a lighter, protein-packed twist? Look no further! This Creamy High Protein Lasagna Soup delivers all the deliciousness of the classic dish in a warm, satisfying bowl. Get ready to cozy up with a hearty and healthy meal that’s surprisingly easy to make – I promise you’ll absolutely love it!

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing soup. I’ve included some notes on substitutions where I think you might want some options!

For the Hearty Base:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or Italian sausage)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

For the Protein Power & Creaminess:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat – your choice!)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (for added protein and creaminess!)

For the Lasagna Touch:

• 6 lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces (about 1-inch squares)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions to Soup Nirvana

Alright, let’s get cooking! I’ll guide you through each step to make sure your soup turns out perfect.

Getting Started: Sautéing the Aromatics

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef (or your chosen protein) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Building the Flavor Foundation

5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Adding the Noodles and Beans

7. Stir in the broken lasagna noodles and cannellini beans.
8. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Make sure you stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot! That’s a common tricky spot.

Creating the Creamy Magic

9. While the soup is simmering, prepare the creamy mixture. In a food processor or blender, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Don’t have a blender? You can whisk it really well, but it might be a little chunkier (still delicious!).

The Grand Finale: Combining it All

10. Once the noodles are tender, stir the creamy mixture into the soup. Heat through gently, but do not boil. Boiling can cause the cottage cheese to separate.
11. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or even a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Serving and Enjoying!

12. Ladle the Creamy High Protein Lasagna Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. You can also add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese!

Tips and Tricks for Lasagna Soup Success

Here are a few extra tips to help you customize and perfect your soup:

• Protein Power: Feel free to add more protein! Cooked shredded chicken, chickpeas, or lentils would all be great additions.
• Veggie Boost: Add extra vegetables like chopped carrots, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrients and flavor.
• Spice it Up: If you like a spicier soup, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
• Make it Ahead: This soup is even better the next day! The flavors have more time to meld together. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Variations to Make it Your Own

Don’t be afraid to experiment! This recipe is very adaptable.

• Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth. Add extra vegetables and lentils for a vegetarian-friendly version.
• Spicy Italian Sausage Soup: Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a bolder flavor.
• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a richer flavor and add more fresh basil for a brighter aroma.

More Soup Recipes You’ll Adore

If you’re a soup lover like me, you’ll definitely want to check out these other amazing recipes!

• For a hands-off version, try this CROCKPOT LASAGNA SOUP. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
• If you’re in the mood for something creamy and cheesy, you might like the CREAMY SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP. It’s a crowd-pleaser.
• For something completely different, the MARRY ME CHICKEN SOUP is incredibly flavorful and comforting.
• And for a simple, classic comfort food, you can’t go wrong with CREAMY POTATO SOUP.
• You can also try the SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP for a classic Italian flavor.
• If you’d like to try a more traditional baked lasagna, I recommend this Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce

Why This Recipe is a Winner

Besides being incredibly delicious, this Creamy High Protein Lasagna Soup is a fantastic choice for a few key reasons:

• It’s Packed with Protein: The lean ground beef, cottage cheese, and cannellini beans provide a substantial amount of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
• It’s a Healthier Take on Lasagna: By swapping out some of the traditional lasagna ingredients for lighter alternatives, like cottage cheese instead of ricotta, we’ve created a healthier version without sacrificing flavor.
• It’s Easy to Customize: As you’ve seen, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your dietary needs and preferences.
• It’s Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup is a great option for meal prepping. Make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.

Enjoy Your Creamy High Protein Lasagna Soup!

So there you have it – my foolproof recipe for Creamy High Protein Lasagna Soup! I hope you enjoy making and eating this delicious and healthy soup as much as I do. Remember, cooking should be fun and relaxing, so don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking!

Lady Maria

Lasagna Soup: Protein Packed

Enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna in a protein-packed, creamy soup! This recipe is a lighter and healthier take on the classic dish, perfect for a cozy and satisfying meal. It’s easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and protein sources.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey or Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 4 cups beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 1 cup cottage cheese low-fat or full-fat
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 6 lasagna noodles, broken into small pieces about 1-inch squares
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish optional

Equipment

• large pot or Dutch oven
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• knife
• Cutting board
• spoon
• Food processor or blender (optional)
• Ladle
• Bowls

Method

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef (or your chosen protein) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Stir in the broken lasagna noodles and cannellini beans.
8. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. While the soup is simmering, prepare the creamy mixture. In a food processor or blender, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, whisk well by hand.
10. Once the noodles are tender, stir the creamy mixture into the soup. Heat through gently, but do not boil.
11. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, if desired.
12. Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

For extra protein, add cooked shredded chicken, chickpeas, or lentils. Boost the veggie content with chopped carrots, zucchini, or spinach. Increase red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicier soup. This soup is great for meal prepping and tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth, adding extra vegetables and lentils.