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Comforting Lasagna Soup

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A cozy, cheesy soup that captures the savory layers of traditional lasagna in a quick and easy bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting rainy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean) or ground Italian sausage
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if possible)
  • 1 cup small pasta shapes (ditalini or elbow macaroni; gluten-free pasta optional)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (small-curd preferred)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk recommended)
  • Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh spinach or kale for a green boost

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage. Break up with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Stir in 1 finely chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes, until onion is translucent.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen tomato flavor.
  5. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups water. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with juices. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Let soup simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Add 1 cup small pasta shapes directly to the simmering soup. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, cook pasta separately and drain to avoid thickening soup.
  8. While pasta cooks, mix 1 cup ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Once pasta is tender, remove soup from heat. Ladle into bowls and drop spoonfuls of ricotta mixture on top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  10. Optional: For a bubbly melted cheese topping, transfer soup bowls to an oven-safe dish and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Garnish with extra fresh basil and black pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

If soup thickens after resting, stir in more broth or water before reheating. Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness. Adding cheese at the end preserves creamy texture. Broiling soup bowls is optional for a melted cheese topping. For vegetarian version, substitute meat with mushrooms or lentils and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna soup, comforting soup, cheesy soup, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Italian soup, ground beef soup, tomato soup, pasta soup

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/comforting-lasagna-soup-recipe-easy-cheesy-savory-layers-guide/