Lasagna Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound lean ground beef

• 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste

•  24 ounce marinara sauce)

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

• 2 tsp dried parsley 

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 7 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

• 9 lasagna noodles

• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional),

• 10 oz ricotta or cottage cheese 

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil , for serving

Directions

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and sausage until browned. Season with salt and pepper as you cook. Drain grease and remove meat from the pot.

• In a large pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Toss in diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in minced garlic and cook for another minute or two.

• Stir in tomato paste, marinara sauce, spices, and broth. Return meat to pot.

• Bring to boil then add lasagna noodles (broken into 4ths) to pot and reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender.  Add spinach, if using.

• In a small bowl, stir together mozzarella, Parmesan and ricotta cheeses

• Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and dollop a scoop of the cheese mixture on top. Garnish with fresh basil