Family Fun Lasagna Soup

2 tsp olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1 pound ground beef
2 onions, finely chopped
½ tsp garlic, minced
2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
8 oz. fusilli pasta, uncooked
½ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
8 oz. ricotta cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Note: Pasta can be cooked separately and added to soup to warm. Cooking pasta in soup itself will result in noticeably less liquid for the soup.

1. In large stock pot, sauté sausage in oil until no longer pink. Break into pieces and drain.
2. Add onions to sausage and sauté another 6 minutes.
3. Add in garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and sauté another minute.
4. Add in tomato paste and sauté until paste is rusty brown.
5. Add tomatoes and their juice, broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil and simmer 30 minutes.
6. Add pasta and increase heat again. Boil pasta until al dente.
7. Discard bay leaves and add basil.
8. In a small bowl, mix ricotta, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, salt and pepper.
9. When serving, place a dollop of ricotta mixture in soup bowl. Spoon soup on top and enjoy.


Serving Size: Serves 8 as a meal

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user HEATHER10561.