Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 cups uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into smaller pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook Ground Meat:
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Aromatics:
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until onions are translucent.
- Tomato Base:
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Mix well.
- Seasonings and Broth:
- Add dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Pour in the beef or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add Noodles:
- Break the lasagna noodles into smaller pieces and add them to the pot. Cook until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Cheese Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with a spoonful of the cheese mixture.
- Garnish:
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Enjoy this hearty and flavorful one-pot lasagna soup!