Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage, or a mix of both
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning Optional
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat
- 8 oz lasagna noodles broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil chopped for garnish
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
Cook Beef
- In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Once cooked, remove any excess grease.
Create the Soup
- Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes with their juice.
- Stir in the dried basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Cook Noodles
- In a separate pot, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente.
- Drain and set aside. (You can also cook the noodles directly in the soup, but they may absorb more liquid, so you might need extra broth.)
Prep Cheese Layer
- In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese, Italian Seasoning.
- Stir well and set aside.
Add Noodles to Soup
- Once the soup has simmered and the noodles are cooked, stir the cooked noodles into the soup.
- If the soup looks too thick, you can add a bit more broth to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish & Serve
- Ladle the soup into bowls, then top each serving with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for an extra pop of flavor and color.
- Stir the cheese mixture into the hot soup to get that creamy, cheesy lasagna goodness in every bite!