Lasagna Soup

BEST SOUP OF 2012!!!

I found this recipe Here, and whipped up a batch yesterday for dinner with my sweet inlaw's who had our girls sleep over and then drove a whole hour to bring them home! I LOVE loovvee this soup! YOU will not be sorry!

Picture from www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com 

Lasagna Soup

for the soup:

2 tsp. olive oil

1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage 
3 c. chopped onions 
4 garlic cloves, minced 
2 tsp. dried oregano 
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 
2 T. tomato paste 
1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes 
2 bay leaves 
6 c. chicken stock 
8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta (we used radiatore since that was what I had on hand) 
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves 
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

for the cheesy yum:

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

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Method: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

Servings:  8