Comforting Lasagna Soup (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 pound of ground beef.
02 -
1-2 tablespoons of olive oil.
03 -
4 garlic cloves, chopped finely.
04 -
1 large onion, finely chopped.
05 -
1 can (15 ounces) of diced tomatoes—don't drain the liquid.
06 -
1 can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce or puree.
07 -
3 ounces of tomato paste (about 1/4 cup).
08 -
4 cups of chicken stock.
09 -
1-2 cups of water or as much as you need to adjust thickness.
10 -
1 tablespoon of Italian spices.
11 -
1 teaspoon of sea salt, or more if you think it needs it.
12 -
Add black pepper to your liking.
13 -
8 ounces of uncooked bowtie pasta.
14 -
Toppings (optional): 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 2 ounces shredded mozzarella (about 1/2 cup), 1/4 cup grated or shaved Parmesan, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by warming a large soup pot (4.5-quart is ideal) on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it heat up until it shimmers slightly.
02 -
Toss the ground beef, garlic, and onions into the pot. Stir occasionally and cook until the beef loses all its pink. If there's extra grease, get rid of it.
03 -
Mix in the diced tomatoes (with their liquid), the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken stock, pasta, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
04 -
Turn up the heat until the mix is boiling.
05 -
Lower the heat for a gentle simmer. Stir often, and let it cook 10-15 minutes until the pasta softens up.
06 -
If it looks too thick, splash in a bit more water or broth until it's just how you want it.
07 -
When serving, you can either mix the cheeses right into the whole soup or let everyone add ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan on their own. Finish with chopped parsley on top.
08 -
Once it's completely cool, store it in an airtight container. It lasts 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
09 -
When you're warming it up again, you'll probably need to add some broth or water. The pasta soaks up lots of the liquid over time.
# Notes:
01 -
It keeps well and only gets tastier after sitting in the fridge as the flavors combine.
02 -
Letting everyone customize their toppings makes it more fun and flexible for cheese lovers and those who prefer less.
03 -
You can skip the meat for a vegetarian alternative. Swap the beef for plant-based meat and use veggie broth instead of chicken stock.