Easy High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup (with a Cottage Cheese Hack!)

If you crave cozy lasagna flavor but want something faster, lighter, and actually supportive of your goals, this High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup is for you. You get all the comfort—rich tomato broth, Italian herbs, tender noodles, and a melty, cheesy finish—without building a pan of layers or waiting an hour to bake. The best part? You’ll use a simple cottage cheese “ricotta” to make this High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup taste indulgent, while packing serious protein so the meal keeps you full. This has become a staple in my rotation of easy high protein soups, right alongside my weeknight-friendly High Protein Chicken Soup.

Bowl of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup with cottage cheese swirl, parmesan, and basil
High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup – Hero Bowl

In this guide, I’ll show you two methods that fit real life: a quick one-pot stovetop version and a hands-off crockpot (slow cooker) version for busy days. We’ll cover the exact steps, the “why” behind each ingredient, smart swaps for dietary needs, and make-ahead tips so dinner feels simple—not stressful.

Why You’ll Love This High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Close-up of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup with cottage cheese swirl, parmesan, and basil
Finished High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup with Swirl
  • All the lasagna flavor in one pot. No layering. No oven. Just a rich, savory pot that simmers to perfection.
  • Packed with protein. Lean turkey + blended cottage cheese + part-skim mozzarella = a high protein lasagna soup that actually satisfies.
  • Creamy without heavy cream. The cottage cheese “ricotta” turns the broth silky when you stir it in.
  • Weeknight easy. About 30 minutes on the stove. Or try the high protein lasagna soup crockpot method for set-it-and-forget-it ease.
  • Goal-friendly. A healthy lasagna soup that’s hearty and balanced. Great if you’re seeking low calorie lasagna soup options without sacrificing flavor.
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Close-up of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup with cottage cheese swirl, parmesan, and basil

High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup


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  • Author: Isabella Martinez
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup delivers all the cozy lasagna flavors in one pot—rich tomato broth, Italian herbs, tender noodles, and a creamy, protein-packed cottage cheese “ricotta”.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
  • 12 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 35 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 12 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
  • 56 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Pinch–½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
  • 810 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces (GF/protein pasta if desired)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella (for blend)
  • 1½ cups cottage cheese (for blend; low-fat or full-fat)
  • ¼½ cup grated parmesan (for serving)
  • Fresh basil, chopped (for serving)

Optional veggie additions

  • 1 finely diced carrot, 1 small diced zucchini, 2 cups chopped spinach or kale (stir in at end)

Instructions

  1. Brown: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium. Add turkey and onion, season lightly, cook 6–8 minutes until browned and the onion softens. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute.
  2. Build: Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Noodles: Add broken noodles. Simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add more broth if needed to keep a soupier texture.
  4. Blend “ricotta”: In a blender, process cottage cheese, mozzarella, pinch of salt, and pepper until completely smooth (30–60 seconds).
  5. Serve creamy: Taste the soup and adjust salt/pepper. Ladle into bowls. Dollop or swirl the cottage cheese mixture over each serving. Finish with parmesan and fresh basil. Stir in the dollop and enjoy the silky finish.

Notes

  • Why cottage cheese? Blending cottage cheese creates a smooth, ricotta-style cream that melts into High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup, boosting protein without heavy cream.
  • Protein swaps: Use lean chicken, extra-lean beef, or Italian turkey sausage (casings removed).
  • Dairy-free option: Blend silken tofu with nutritional yeast, pinch of salt, and a splash of olive oil for a creamy, protein-rich alternative.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 cups per serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 40 g

The High-Protein Secret (And Why It Works)

If you’ve ever wished a creamy soup could feel light and nourishing, you’ll love this trick. The “secret” in High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup is a blended cottage cheese mixture that mimics ricotta. It melts into the hot soup, turning the broth rich and creamy without heavy cream.

1) Use a Lean Protein (Like Turkey)

Choose 93% lean ground turkey (or lean chicken). You’ll get clean, savory flavor and plenty of protein, with less grease and fewer calories than traditional beef. If you prefer, you can use extra-lean beef or Italian turkey sausage. This lean swap is what makes this a go-to turkey lasagna soup recipe.

2) The “Ricotta” Cottage Cheese Cream

Blend cottage cheese until perfectly smooth with a little part-skim mozzarella and seasoning. The result tastes like ricotta but adds a bigger protein boost and a satin finish to your High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup. Don’t love cottage cheese texture? You won’t see it. You won’t feel it. You’ll just taste creamy, cheesy goodness.

I use similar protein-boosting blending tricks in other soups (and it’s magic). If you’re into veggie-forward options with a protein focus, you’ll love my comforting High Protein Butternut Squash Soup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the base for a family-sized pot (about 6 generous servings). Feel free to scale up or down.

Ingredients for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup including turkey, cottage cheese, tomatoes, noodles, and herbs
Ingredients for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Protein & Creamy Components

  • 93% lean ground turkey (1–1¼ lb)
  • Low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese (1½ cups; blending base)
  • Part-skim mozzarella (1 cup, shredded)
  • Parmesan (¼–½ cup, grated), for garnish and depth

Soup Base

  • Olive oil (1–2 tbsp)
  • Yellow onion (1 medium, diced)
  • Garlic (3–5 cloves, minced)
  • Crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
  • Diced tomatoes (14.5 oz can)
  • Tomato paste (1–2 tbsp; optional, for richness)
  • Chicken broth (5–6 cups; start with 5, add more to thin)
  • Italian seasoning (2 tsp) + dried basil (1 tsp)
  • Crushed red pepper (pinch to ½ tsp, optional)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

The “Lasagna” Part

  • Lasagna noodles (8–10 noodles, broken into bite-size pieces; use GF or protein pasta if desired)
  • Fresh basil (small handful, chopped), for finishing

Optional Veggie Boosters (stir in with onion)

  • Carrot (1 medium, finely diced) for sweetness and body
  • Zucchini (1 small, diced) for extra volume
  • Baby spinach or kale (2 cups, chopped; add at the end to wilt)

How to Make High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup (One-Pot Stovetop)

This simple method gets dinner on the table quickly. It’s the way I make High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup on most weeknights.

1) Brown the turkey

Browning lean ground turkey and onion in a Dutch oven for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Browning Turkey for High Protein Lasagna Soup

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add turkey and onion. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the turkey is browned and the onion is soft, 6–8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.

2) Build the soup base

Crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth added to the pot for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Tomato Broth Base for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste (if using), chicken broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper (if you like heat). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a lively simmer.

3) Add the “lasagna”

Broken lasagna noodles added to a simmering pot of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Adding Noodles to High Protein Lasagna Soup

Add the broken lasagna noodles right into the pot. Stir well to avoid sticking. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 15–20 minutes (depending on noodle brand) until the pasta is tender. If the broth reduces too much, add a bit more stock or water to keep the soup brothy and scoopable.

4) Make the high-protein “ricotta”

Smooth blended cottage cheese and mozzarella for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Blended Cottage Cheese “Ricotta”

While the noodles cook, blend the cottage cheese with mozzarella, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper until ultra-smooth and creamy. This takes 30–60 seconds in a high-speed blender. (If you prefer, add a pinch of garlic powder and Italian seasoning.)

5) Finish and serve

Ladle filling a bowl with High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Serving High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls. Add a generous dollop (or swirl) of the blended cottage cheese mixture over each serving. Sprinkle with parmesan and fresh basil. Stir in the dollop at the table so the broth becomes thick and velvety. That’s the signature finish of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup.

Love cozy tomato-based soups? This is the heartier cousin of my silkiest tomato recipe: Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.

Easy Crockpot Lasagna Soup Method (Set It & Forget It)

Busy day? Use the high protein lasagna soup crockpot version.

Slow cooker filled with ingredients for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup before adding noodles
Crockpot High Protein Lasagna Soup
  1. Brown the turkey with onion and garlic in a skillet (this step boosts flavor and texture).
  2. Transfer to slow cooker, then add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, dried basil, crushed red pepper, and a light pinch of salt.
  3. Cook on LOW 4–6 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
  4. Add noodles 30 minutes before serving. Turn to HIGH. Stir occasionally until tender.
  5. Blend the cottage cheese + mozzarella as above.
  6. Serve hot bowls topped with the creamy cottage cheese mixture, parmesan, and fresh basil.

Make It Yours: Variations & Substitutions

  • Dairy-free option
    Use a lactose-free cottage cheese if you tolerate it, or blend silken tofu with nutritional yeast and a touch of olive oil for a creamy, protein-rich dollop. Add extra-virgin olive oil at the finish for silkiness.
  • Gluten-free
    Use gluten-free lasagna noodles or a sturdy GF pasta. Cook times vary; check often.
  • Veggie-packed
    Stir in finely diced carrots and zucchini with the onion; wilt a few handfuls of spinach at the end. The extra volume makes this healthy lasagna soup even more filling.
  • Spicy
    Use hot Italian turkey sausage (casings removed), add Calabrian chili paste, or increase crushed red pepper.
  • Lower calorie lasagna soup
    Use extra-lean turkey, part-skim cottage cheese, and skip extra mozzarella in the blend. Add more broth and vegetables for volume.
  • Beefy traditional
    Prefer classic flavor? Use lean ground beef or a mix of lean beef and turkey, and add ½ tsp fennel seed for “Italian sausage” vibes.

Pro Tips for Success (Great Texture, Great Flavor)

  • Season in layers. Salt the turkey/onion lightly, then taste again at the end. Layering gives High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup rich, balanced flavor.
  • Don’t overcook the noodles. Pull them when tender; they keep softening in hot broth.
  • Blend until silky. The cottage cheese mixture should look like whipped ricotta.
  • Add the creamy dollop at serving. It stays vivid and melty, and everyone can control richness.
  • Leftovers thicken. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to restore a soupier texture.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

  • Store cooled soup in airtight containers up to 4 days. Keep the cottage cheese blend separate for best texture.
  • Freeze soup (without noodles if possible) up to 3 months. Add cooked pasta after thawing, or reheat and simmer fresh noodles directly in the broth. Freeze cottage cheese blend separately (or make fresh—it blends in seconds).
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low, adding broth as needed. Dollop the creamy blend over hot bowls right before serving.

Simple Nutrition Snapshot (Estimate per serving)

Every brand differs, but here’s a ballpark for a hearty serving (with lean turkey and a ¼-cup dollop of cottage-cheese “ricotta” plus a sprinkle of parmesan):

  • Calories: ~420
  • Protein: ~40–45 g
  • Carbs: ~35–40 g (varies with noodle amount/type)
  • Fat: ~12–15 g
  • Fiber: ~4–6 g
    This is why High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup keeps you full, energized, and satisfied.

Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

  • Too thick? Stir in warm broth until you reach the texture you love.
  • Too thin? Simmer uncovered a few extra minutes or add a few more noodle pieces.
  • Not creamy enough? Add a bigger dollop of the blended cottage cheese or blend it with a bit more mozzarella.
  • Not savory enough? A teaspoon of tomato paste or a dash of Worcestershire can deepen flavor.
  • Too acidic? Pinch of sugar or splash of milk can soften edges; the creamy dollop also balances acidity.

FAQs

How do I make lasagna soup high in protein?

Use lean ground turkey (or chicken) for the base and top each bowl with a blended cottage cheese “ricotta.” The combo turns this into a high protein lasagna soup with cottage cheese that’s creamy and satisfying.

How do I add more protein to soup without meat?

Blend cottage cheese into a smooth “cream,” stir in a can of rinsed white beans, or use higher-protein pasta. For plant-forward ideas, see the simmered bean base in my rustic Tuscan White Bean Soup.

Can this be crockpot-friendly?

Yes. Brown the meat first, then add everything (except noodles and cheese mixture) to the slow cooker. Cook LOW 4–6 hours or HIGH 2–3. Add noodles 30 minutes before serving, then finish with the cottage cheese dollop. It’s an excellent high protein lasagna soup crockpot option.

Is this good for weight loss?

It can be. This healthy lasagna soup delivers a lot of protein and fiber to keep you full. Choose part-skim dairy, extra-lean turkey, and add extra vegetables. Portion smart, and you’ll have a flavorful low calorie lasagna soup that still feels indulgent.

How much protein is in lasagna soup?

It varies, but this High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup clocks roughly 40–45 g per hearty serving when made as written. Another high-protein favorite for variety: High Protein Leftover Turkey Soup.

What if I don’t like cottage cheese?

Blend it—seriously. Texture disappears, and you get a ricotta-like cream that melts into the soup. If you still prefer another route, mix part-skim ricotta with a little Greek yogurt, or try a silken tofu + nutritional yeast blend.

What to Serve With High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Bright Greens that Balance

A crisp salad cuts through the cozy richness of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup. Toss romaine or spring mix with shaved parmesan, cherry tomatoes, and a quick balsamic vinaigrette (2 parts olive oil, 1 part balsamic, tiny spoon of Dijon, pinch of salt). The acidity lifts the tomato base and lets the herbs shine. For extra crunch, add thinly sliced red onion or cucumbers. This side keeps your healthy lasagna soup light while still feeling complete.

Roast-and-Relax Vegetables

Roasted veggies bring texture and color without extra effort. Go sheet-pan style at 425°F:

  • Broccoli with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest for a bright finish.
  • Asparagus with a squeeze of lemon and dusting of parmesan for a quick, elegant touch.
  • Zucchini half-moons with Italian seasoning to echo the soup’s flavor profile.
    These sides pair perfectly with high protein lasagna soup with cottage cheese, and they support your low calorie lasagna soup goals.

Crunch for Dipping and Swirling

High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup served with a green salad and crostini
High Protein Lasagna Soup with Salad and Crostini

You can’t beat something golden to dip. Slice a baguette, brush with olive oil, and bake at 400°F until crisp. While warm, rub the surface with a cut garlic clove for instant garlicky sourdough toasts. Or make olive-oil brushed crostini and sprinkle with a little sea salt. The crunch contrasts the silky broth of High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup and turns every bite into a cozy spoon-and-toast combo.

Protein Add-Ons for Bigger Appetites

If you’re feeding hungry athletes or want extra staying power, add a simple protein side. Grilled chicken strips, turkey meatballs, or a few slices of lean Italian turkey sausage boost macros without overshadowing your bowl. This approach keeps the meal aligned with easy high protein soups while maintaining the creamy comfort you love.

Finish with a Custom Toppings Bar

Parmesan, basil, red pepper flakes, and cottage cheese blend for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup
Toppings for High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup

Set out small bowls so everyone can customize: extra basil, red pepper flakes, grated parmesan, and a splash of good olive oil. A generous dollop of the blended cottage cheese “ricotta” on top adds even more creaminess to High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup—and a final nudge of protein to end the meal on a satisfying note.

Final Thoughts

When you want comfort without compromise, High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup wins every time. It’s rich and savory, but balanced and intentional—protein-forward, veggie-friendly, and satisfying without the heaviness of a casserole. The cottage cheese “ricotta” is the kind of smart hack that changes weeknights. It gives you the creamy finish you crave, more protein, and less fuss.

Make the stovetop version when time is tight. Use the crockpot method when your afternoons are full. Stir in extra vegetables when your fridge needs a clean-out. And when you want a cozy alternative next time, try my seasonal favorite, the nourishing Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup. Keep this High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup recipe handy—you’ll want it on repeat all season long.

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