Recipes

[ciao_bella]

SWEATER WEATHER *Lasagna Soup* RECIPE

(I've made lasagna soup before, but I think this version is close to being the Best.)  Give it a try, especially comforting on cold fall and winter nights. 

• 1/2 pound lean ground beef

• 1/2 pound ground Italian Sweet sausage (with fennel preferred) 

• Salt and fresh ground black pepper,to taste

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• about 1 Tablespoon olive oil 

• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste (I use tube tomato paste is great)

•  1  24 ounce good quality jarred marinara sauce like Rao or Bottichelli 

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

• 2 Tablespoons fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoons dried basil 

• 7 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 9 lasagna sheets, each broken into 4ths 
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional),
• 10 ounces Ricotta cheese  
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional) 
•  
• Directions:  

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, 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 the same 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 and cook the paste with the onion and garlic for about a 1 or 2 minutes, (cooking the tomato paste deepens the tomato flavor.) Then stir in the, marinara sauce, spices, and broth. Return meat to pot.

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

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

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

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: Make the recipe up to step 4.  Do not add the noodles to the pot.  Store the soup in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve, start at step 5, bringing the soup to a boil and cooking the noodles at that point. Serve with a dollop of cheese.

[deepwaterdotter]

I crave a dish of Lasagna Soup when there's a chill in the air.  My recipe includes a pound of ground beef, carrots, a big can of crushed tomatoes, a regular-sized can of tomato sauce, and rotini pasta. 

[spumoni99]

I discovered the tubed tomatoe paste while visiting Italy.  It was really reasonable.  Its pretty pricey here so now I open a can of tomato paste and section out by a few tablespoons in sandwich bags and freeze.

[LdyBugz]

@ciao_bella  That looks really good!.  I think the polite thing for you to do is make a batch and deliver a big bowl to me.  

[cindyNC]

This looks so good.  I made slow cooker French Onion soup last week. I have leftover cabbage from last night's dinner and am thinking of a vegetable type soup.  I don't have vegtable stock and am trying to figure out what else to use. 

[Fribwl]

@ciao_bella .  This sounds so ooo good.  When weather gets a little coolet, I want to try this.  TY for posting

[luvzchiz]

@ciao_bella   Yum!  What time should I arrive?  I'll bring two loaves of garlic bread.  

[AuntG]

That soup would be delicious. I always top mine with croutons.