Description
Hearty lasagna soup brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with layers of rich flavors melding in one delightful bowl. Creamy ricotta, savory ground beef, and tender pasta noodles combine for a soul-warming meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Noodles:
- 2 cups reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles (about 5 ounces)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 garlic cloves)
Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (low or no sodium)
- 4 cups beef broth (low or no sodium)
- 2 cups water
Cheese (Optional):
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high temperature for approximately 3 minutes, creating a sizzling base for the ground beef.
- Introduce ground beef and cook for 10 minutes, breaking and stirring occasionally until achieving a rich, golden-brown coloration.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and garlic releases its aromatic essence.
- Introduce crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, dried herbs (basil, parsley, oregano), black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Pour beef broth and water into the mixture, stirring to integrate ingredients completely, then cover and elevate heat to high, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Once boiling, gently add uncooked pasta, reducing heat to medium and cooking uncovered for approximately half the package’s recommended time to prevent overcooking.
- Remove pot from heat after partial pasta cooking, allowing soup to rest uncovered for 5 minutes, enabling pasta to finish cooking and flavors to meld.
- Discard bay leaf before serving, then ladle soup into individual bowls.
- Garnish with a generous dollop of ricotta cheese and sprinkle of parmesan for a creamy, luxurious finishing touch.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef for a healthier version of the lasagna soup, reducing overall fat content without compromising flavor.
- Break up the ground beef into small crumbles while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent large meat chunks in the soup.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on spice tolerance, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing for desired heat level.
- Opt for whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value and add extra fiber to the dish, making it more filling and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 5-6 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg