Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil

1. 1 1/2 lbs Italian Sausage (I usually just use 16 oz, turkey sausage is good, too)
2. 3 cups chopped onions
3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
4. 2 teaspoons dried oregano
5. optional: 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
6. 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
7. 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably fire roasted
8. 2 bay leaves
9. 6 cups chicken broth
10. 8 ounces fusilli or mafalda pasta (or other pasta of your choice) (I used bowtie, whole wheat works well)
11. 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, or a heaping tablespoon dried basil (fresh is the best, but dried works, too)
12. salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
13. 8 ounces ricotta cheese (I usually just use the whole 15 oz with a full cup of shredded parm)
14. 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (Use the real stuff!)
15. 1/4 teaspoon salt
16. a few cracks of black pepper
17. optional: shredded mozzarella for sprinkling on top (we find it cheesy enough without this)

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. If you're using dried basil, add it at this point. Cook for about a minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate.
2. Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. You can add the dry pasta to the soup in the last 8-ish minutes of cooking, or do as I prefer, and cook the pasta separately and add to individual servings. Right before serving, stir in fresh basil if you're using fresh, and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
4. To serve, place a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture in each soup bowl, add pasta if you cooked it separately, and ladle the hot soup over the cheese. Let it sit for a minute for the cheese to get all melty, sprinkle mozzarella on top if desired and eat up

Comments:

I've made this a couple times but forgot how easy and filling and tasty it is! Tastes like lasagna in a bowl:)

Recipe and photo source: (My favorite): http://ourbestbites.com/2012/12/lasagna-soup/