Easy Comforting Lasagna Soup Recipe

Lasagna Soup is the ultimate comfort food for those cold winter nights. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish that combines all the delicious elements of classic lasagna in a warm and comforting soup. Made with ground beef, sausage, spinach, and three types of cheese, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.

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
• 1 recipe homemade marinara sauce (or 24-ounce marinara sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 9 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional)
• 10 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil, for serving

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat: 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.
2. Cook onion and garlic: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute or two.
3. Add sauce and spices: Stir in tomato paste, marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and basil. Add broth and return meat to the pot.
4. Add lasagna noodles: Bring the pot to a boil then add lasagna noodles (broken into 4ths) to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender. Add spinach, if using.
5. Combine cheeses: In a small bowl, stir together mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses.
6. Serve warm: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and dollop a scoop of the cheese mixture on top. Garnish with fresh basil.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

• To make ahead: 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.
• To freeze: Freeze lasagna soup without the cheese. Place soup in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat slowly on the stovetop. If you are making this recipe specifically for freezing, you may choose to make the noodles fresh once ready to serve (see make-ahead instructions).

Other Variations of Lasagna Soup:

• Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Omit the sausage and ground beef and add more chopped vegetables to step 3 (cooking with onion and garlic). Recommended vegetables include zucchini, mushrooms, and yellow squash.
• Vegan Lasagna Soup: Omit the sausage and ground beef and add more chopped vegetables to step 3 (cooking with onion and garlic). Recommended vegetables include zucchini, mushrooms, and yellow squash. Substitute the cheese with homemade cashew ricotta.
• Pasta Substitutions: Substitute any type of pasta for the broken lasagna noodles!

Lasagna Soup is a versatile and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of the variations, this soup is sure to become a new family favorite.