The BEST Lasagna Soup - Cozy Family Dinner + Perfect Lunchbox Leftovers!

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories, while cream cheese can provide a similar texture.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while cheddar is often less expensive.

Welcome to the kitchen and introduction to the recipe.

Prepare to make lasagna soup, a family favorite.

Use 2 lbs of ground beef and ground mild sausage, or all beef if preferred.

Brown the meat in a pot until slightly crispy, keeping it chunkier for texture.

Transfer the browned meat to a plate and drain all but about a tablespoon of fat from the pot.

Dice 1 medium onion and mince garlic cloves while the meat is browning.

Add the diced onion to the pot with a pinch of salt and cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add tomato paste to the pot and cook until it turns a deep brick red color, about 5 to 7 minutes, adding oil if necessary.

Return the browned meat to the pot.

Add Italian style soprito seasoning blend (optional) and smoked paprika, along with a pinch of sugar.

Pour in 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes and 6 cups of beef broth, stirring to combine and letting it come to a simmer.

Break up half a box of lasagna pasta (about 0.5 lbs) into small pieces and add to the pot.

Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

Add about 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the soup, adjusting to taste for richness.

In a small bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, fresh chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to make the ricotta mixture.

Stir a spoonful of the ricotta mixture into each bowl of soup before serving.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the ricotta mixture, fresh parsley, and parmesan cheese.

Store leftovers in airtight containers for lunchboxes the next day.

Preheat thermoses with hot water before adding soup for lunch.

Reheat soup on the stove, adding water to reach desired consistency if it thickens.

Pack kids' lunchboxes with soup, kiwi, sweet mini bell peppers, and cookies.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens