Lasagne Soup

Lasagne Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• For the Soup:
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 oz lasagne noodles, broken into pieces
• For the Cheese Mixture:
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
• For Garnish:
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat:
   • In a large pot, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
2. Cook the Vegetables:
   • Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the Liquids and Seasonings:
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook the Noodles:
   • Add the broken lasagne noodles to the pot and cook until they are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
5. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
   • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
6. Serve the Soup:
   • Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a dollop of the cheese mixture on top of each bowl of soup.
7. Garnish and Enjoy:
   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot.

Tips

• For a richer flavor, you can deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine before adding the tomatoes and broth.
• If you prefer, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef or sausage.
• You can make this soup ahead of time and reheat it. If the soup thickens too much upon reheating, add a bit more broth to reach the desired consistency.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Enjoy your hearty and comforting Lasagne Soup!