If you’re craving comfort food with a fresh and cozy twist, this Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s like all the best parts of a traditional lasagna—creamy, cheesy, and full of hearty pasta—reimagined into a warm, soothing soup that’s perfect for any night of the week. Sweet butternut squash blends beautifully with Italian sausage and plenty of aromatic herbs, making each spoonful a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re a busy cook looking for something quick or simply in the mood for a deliciously unique soup, this recipe delivers a comforting hug in a bowl every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the key to making this soup shine. Each one plays a special role, from adding richness to layering on flavor and creating that perfect lasagna vibe in a bowl.
- Olive oil: Provides a subtle fruity base for sautéing the sausage and aromatics.
- Mild Italian sausage: Brings savory depth and a bit of spice if you prefer it hot.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and complexity when softened.
- Garlic cloves: Enhance aroma and bold flavor with every bite.
- Butternut squash: The star ingredient, offering natural sweetness and creamy texture.
- Chicken broth: Forms the hearty soup foundation, rich and flavorful.
- Salt and Italian seasoning: Seasonings that tie all the flavors together.
- Ground sage and nutmeg: Warm spices that elevate the cozy lasagna taste.
- Crushed red pepper: Adds a gentle kick to balance the sweetness.
- Mafalda pasta or broken lasagna noodles: The perfect pasta shape to absorb soup goodness.
- Baby spinach: Adds freshness and vibrant color.
- Half & half: Brings creaminess and smoothness to the broth.
- Ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses: Essential for authentic lasagna-inspired toppings.
- Chopped parsley (optional): Fresh garnish to brighten each bowl.
How to Make Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe
Step 1: Cook the sausage
Start by heating olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks through in about 5 to 7 minutes. This savory protein creates a rich base for your soup. Once browned, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside to keep the pan ready for the veggies.
Step 2: Sauté onions and garlic
In the sausage’s flavorful grease, toss in diced onions and minced garlic. Let them soften and become fragrant for around 3 to 4 minutes. This step builds a beautiful, aromatic foundation, enhancing every future bite of your soup.
Step 3: Add butternut squash
Next, add the cubed butternut squash—fresh or even frozen works well here—and sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes. This pre-cooking intensifies the squash’s natural sweetness, making it perfectly tender by the time the soup is done.
Step 4: Build the soup with broth and spices
Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt, Italian seasoning, ground sage, nutmeg, and crushed red pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then simmer until the squash is fork-tender, around 5 to 8 minutes. For that unique soup texture, use an immersion blender to puree about half the squash in the pot, leaving some chunks for delightful texture.
Step 5: Cook the pasta and finish the soup
Add the broken Mafalda pasta directly to the broth and cook until al dente, stirring often to prevent sticking. Once pasta is ready, lower the heat and stir in the cooked sausage, chopped spinach, and half & half. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and the soup is luxuriously creamy and warm.
Step 6: Serve and garnish
Ladle the soup into warm bowls and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. For a little extra flair and authentic flavor, add grated parmesan and a handful of freshly chopped parsley. Sit back and savor every cozy, flavorful spoonful!
How to Serve Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of toppings! Adding fresh ricotta, melty mozzarella, and bright parmesan cheeses creates that true lasagna feel in soup form. A sprinkle of chopped parsley brightens the dish visually and adds a herby touch that complements the warm spices perfectly.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty enough to stand on its own but pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some rustic garlic bread. Light sides help balance the richness of the soup and make your meal feel complete and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the soup in small bread bowls or mini cast-iron skillets for an individual lasagna soup experience. For gatherings, place toppings in small bowls so guests can customize their bowls just like assembling lasagna layers in a bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually meld and deepen overnight, making it a perfect next-day meal.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave out cheese toppings when freezing—add fresh cheese when reheating for best texture and taste. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the soup seems thick, add a splash of broth or half & half to restore its creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Leave out the sausage and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or extra beans for protein. You can also use vegetable broth to keep the base vegetarian while maintaining rich flavor.
What if I don’t have Mafalda pasta or lasagna noodles?
Any short pasta shape like rigatoni, penne, or even broken spaghetti will work perfectly. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta package directions and break larger noodles into bite-sized pieces.
Can I use canned butternut squash?
Fresh or frozen cubed butternut squash is best for texture, but canned pureed can work. Use less broth to keep the soup from becoming too thin, and reduce the puree blending step accordingly.
Is this soup spicy?
There’s a gentle kick from the crushed red pepper, but it’s easily adjusted up or down depending on your spice preference. Use hot sausage for more heat or omit the pepper for a mild, cozy flavor.
How can I make this gluten-free?
Simply choose gluten-free lasagna noodles or a gluten-free pasta alternative. Jovial Foods Mafalda pasta is already gluten-free, so you’re in luck if you use that brand!
Final Thoughts
This Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe is a delightful way to warm your soul and excite your taste buds with every spoonful. It feels indulgent without being complicated, so I hope you’ll give it a try soon. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or yourself, this soup promises comfort and smiles in every cozy bite. Happy cooking!
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Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup Recipe
This Easy Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup combines the comforting flavors of classic lasagna with the warming heartiness of soup. Featuring sautéed Italian sausage, tender butternut squash, and gluten-free lasagna noodles simmered in a flavorful broth, this dish is topped with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly days.
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage (hot if desired)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz butternut squash, cubed (fresh or frozen)
Broth and Seasonings
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground sage
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
Pasta and Greens
- 12 oz Jovial Foods Mafalda Pasta or gluten-free lasagna noodles broken into small pieces
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
Dairy Toppings
- 3/4 cup half & half
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (for topping)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
- Chopped parsley (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add Italian sausage and crumble it with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to remove sausage and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot with the sausage grease, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Butternut Squash: Stir in the cubed butternut squash (fresh or frozen) and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes to begin softening the squash.
- Simmer with Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth and add salt, Italian seasoning, ground sage, nutmeg, and crushed red pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5-8 minutes or until the squash is fork tender. Use an immersion blender to puree about half of the squash in the pot, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Cook according to the pasta package directions or until al dente, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Finish the Soup: Reduce heat to low. Stir the cooked sausage back into the pot along with the chopped baby spinach and half & half. Heat until the spinach is wilted and the soup is warmed through.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, and optional grated Parmesan. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Using frozen butternut squash works well and saves prep time.
- Adjust the type of Italian sausage to control the heat of the soup.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.
- For a creamier soup, blend more of the squash before adding pasta.
- Feel free to swap half & half for heavy cream for a richer texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free