01 -
Okay, first things first, grab a nice big pot, a Dutch oven works wonders here. Heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground Italian sausage (or beef) and break it up with a spoon. You want it beautifully browned, no sad gray bits! Drain off any excess fat, because honestly, too much grease isn't fun. Then, add your chopped onion and cook until it softens and smells sweet, about 5-7 minutes. This stage always makes my kitchen smell like a proper Italian nonna's house, even if I'm just wearing mismatched socks and a stained apron.
02 -
Now for the garlic! Stir in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for just about a minute until it’s fragrant – don't let it burn, that's a mistake I made once, and the whole soup had a bitter edge, oops! Next, pour in your crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes. Add the beef broth, Italian seasoning, and dried oregano. Give it a good stir, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot; that's where all the flavor hides! Bring the Lasagna Soup mixture to a simmer.
03 -
Once your soup is happily simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes. This lets all those flavors meld together beautifully. After that, uncover and carefully add your broken lasagna noodles. Stir them in and cook, uncovered, according to package directions until they're al dente. This is where I always forget to stir enough, and sometimes a few noodles stick together. Keep an eye on it, you don't want mushy pasta, trust me!
04 -
While the pasta cooks, let's get our cheese game on. In a small bowl, combine your ricotta cheese, about half of the shredded mozzarella, and a good sprinkle of Parmesan. Season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper. This mixture is going to create those delightful creamy pockets in our Lasagna Soup, just like the real deal! I often add a little fresh parsley to this too, just because it looks pretty and adds a fresh lift. Don't overmix, just combine it gently.
05 -
Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, turn off the heat. Ladle the hot Lasagna Soup into individual bowls. Now for the fun part: dollop a generous spoonful of your ricotta cheese mixture onto each serving. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. The heat from the soup will start to melt the cheese, creating those irresistible gooey strands. Sometimes I get a little messy here, with cheese everywhere, but it's all part of the charm, right?
06 -
Finish each bowl of Lasagna Soup with a scattering of fresh basil and parsley. The aroma of the fresh herbs against the rich soup is just *chef's kiss*. Serve immediately and watch everyone dig in. The final result should look like a vibrant, comforting bowl of goodness, smelling like pure Italian heaven. It’s warm, it’s cheesy, and it’s everything you want a lasagna to be, but in a fraction of the time. Honestly, it's a triumph!