When the weather starts to cool and the craving for hearty soups kicks in, nothing hits the spot quite like this lasagna soup with ground turkey and basil ricotta. It’s everything you love about classic lasagna—savory tomato sauce, tender pasta, gooey cheese—but in the cozy, comforting form of a soup. Think of it as the best ever lasagna soup, bubbling on your stove top, with ribbons of pasta floating in a rich, herb-infused broth and topped with a dollop of creamy, basil-kissed ricotta. Whether you're exploring fall soup recipes or looking for the perfect soup for dinner, this one will quickly become a favorite.
Lasagna Soup with Ground Turkey and Basil Ricotta
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Large Dutch oven or soup pot Essential for building deep, rich flavor in one pot.
Wooden spoon For stirring your base without scratching your cookware.
Measuring cups and spoons Precision matters when seasoning soup.
Ladle For serving those hearty portions.
Mixing bowl For blending the basil ricotta topping.
Soup bowls Deep bowls work best for catching all the goodness.
For the Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional for a little heat
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 8 lasagna noodles broken into pieces (or substitute with mafalda or bowtie pasta)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil for garnish
For the Basil Ricotta Topping
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant.
Brown the Ground Turkey
Add ground turkey to the pot. Break it up with your spoon and cook until browned, about 7–8 minutes. This lean protein keeps things lighter than traditional beef, making this a perfect middle ground between chicken breast recipes and beef-based traditional lasagna.
Add Tomato Paste and Spices
Stir in tomato paste, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Cook this mixture for 2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen the flavor of the base.
Pour in Liquids and Tomatoes
Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and water. Season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Add the Pasta
Toss in the broken lasagna noodles. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed some of the broth.
Prepare the Basil Ricotta
While the soup simmers, combine ricotta, Parmesan, fresh basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until creamy and well combined. This topping mimics the creamy layers of a lasagna without the need for baking.
Finish the Soup
Once the pasta is tender, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan for a touch of saltiness and depth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve and Top
Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a generous spoonful of basil ricotta. Sprinkle with more fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Pairings
This lasagna soup is filling on its own, but a few pairings take it from weeknight comfort to a cozy Italian dinner:
- Garlic Bread or Focaccia – For dipping into the rich tomato broth.
- Simple Arugula Salad – Dressed with lemon and olive oil to cut through the richness.
- Chianti or Sangiovese – A glass of red wine elevates the entire meal.
- Roasted Vegetables – Especially zucchini or bell peppers, which echo the flavors of Italian soup recipes.
- Tortellini – Want more indulgence? Stir in cooked cheese tortellini to give it a twist inspired by Italian tortellini soup or tortellini soup recipes.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute the ground turkey?
Yes! While ground turkey keeps this soup light and lean, ground chicken or Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) also work beautifully. If you're leaning toward a chicken lasagna soup, shredded chicken breast is a great alternative.
2. What kind of ricotta should I use?
Whole milk ricotta is best for creaminess, especially for creating that signature lasagna soup with ricotta finish. Avoid part-skim if you want full flavor and texture.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just keep the pasta slightly undercooked if you plan to reheat later, so it doesn’t get mushy. Store the ricotta topping separately.
4. Can I cook this in a crockpot?
Yes. To make a lasagna soup crockpot recipe, brown the onion, garlic, and turkey first. Then transfer to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients (except pasta and cheese). Cook on low for 6 hours, add pasta in the last 30 minutes, and serve with the ricotta topping.
5. Can I freeze this soup?
You can freeze it, but for best results, freeze without the pasta (which tends to absorb too much broth and get soft). Freeze the base, then add fresh pasta when reheating.
