Lasagna Soup

It's soup time! If you didn't get a chance to try this last winter it's soup time again!

When I saw this recipe in Family Fun I knew we would have to try it before winter ended. And now I'm kinda hoping winter will hold on just a couple more weeks so I can make it again!

This hearty and filling soup's secret is in the bottom of the bowl: a mix of cheeses that you ladle the soup on top of. After a quick mix you have gooey, melted cheeses. Mmmm...

The recipe is by Meredith Deeds and can also be found in her book 300 Sensational Soups.

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RECIPE INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons olive oil (I, honestly, omitted this. Why add oil to sausage?)
1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage (bulk or with casings removed)
2 onions, finely chopped (I used onion flakes, a few Tbsp, to taste)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
8 ounces fusilli pasta (really, any pasta will work.)
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
8 ounces ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and sauté, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pot. Add the onions and sauté until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and sauté until the paste turns a rusty brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, the broth, and the bay leaves and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.

2. Add the pasta, then increase the heat to medium-high and boil the soup until the pasta is tender to the bite, following the time recommendations on the pasta package. Discard the bay leaves, then stir in the basil. If desired, season with salt and black pepper to taste.

3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, the Parmesan, the 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the pinch of pepper. To serve, place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture in each bowl, sprinkle with some of the mozzarella, and ladle the soup on top. Makes about 13 cups.