Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups broken lasagna noodles (penne or rigatoni also work)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large Dutch oven or pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Crumble it as it cooks, and once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Cook the Veggies: Add the chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Spices: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the spices cook for about 1-2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Add the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, and lasagna noodles. Break the noodles into smaller pieces as you add them. Bring the soup to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the noodles are tender.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the ricotta cheese and let it melt into the soup. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese for extra creaminess, and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh basil and additional cheese if desired. Enjoy.
Notes
- Cheese for Creaminess: To achieve that classic lasagna flavor, use a mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. If you want the soup extra creamy, feel free to add more ricotta or mozzarella.
- Pasta Options: While broken lasagna noodles are traditional, feel free to experiment with other short pasta like penne or rigatoni.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the meat and add extra vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach. You can also use vegetable broth to make it fully vegetarian.
- Make-Ahead: This soup stores well. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply reheat on the stovetop and adjust consistency with a bit of broth if necessary.