Week 60, Recipe 2: Lasagna Soup

 

 

Picture from A Farmgirl's Dabbles blog

 

NOTES

•  Got the recipe from my friend Emily who got it from A Farmgirls's Dabbles blog. I modified it slightly.
• Tastes like lasagna and is sooo good! We've made this probably 3-4 times now....and somehow I have yet to take a picture!
• Make this soup the night or morning before you want to eat it. You can also make the pasta and cheesy topping and store separately in containers in the fridge. Then reheat and serve!

INGREDIENTS

 

For soup:

• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
• 3 c. chopped onions
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 T. tomato paste
• 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 c. chicken broth
• 10 oz. pasta - I like the mini bowties or mini rotini/fusilli
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Mozzarella cheese, grated, for topping

Cheesy topping:

• 8 oz. ricotta
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces. Cook for a few minutes until skillet is nice and hot then add a few tablespoons of water and let that sizzle and evaporate while the sausage cooks (helps keep it from burning).
2. Once the water has evaporated, add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.
4. Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to directions. Drain and run cool water over it. Set aside.
6. Assemble the cheesy topping in a small bowl.
7. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. It will probably need at least 1 teaspoon salt. Start with that and re-taste. If it still tastes dull, add a bit more.
8. To serve, spoon pasta into each bowl then add soup and stir. Top with a good dollop of the cheesy topping and some grated mozzarella. Enjoy!