We tend to lump food into specific categories, including calling it by the area where it was first developed. For example, the lasagna inspired soup that is created in this recipe could be considered an Italian dish, but many of us would have another name for it, comfort food. When we have a rough day or if we just want something that is going to make us feel good on the inside, comfort food is what we turn to.
This recipe is brilliant on a number of different levels. First of all, many of us have a craving for Italian food and in particular, the cheesy, saucy flavor and texture of lasagna. At the same time, we also may crave soup and some of us just can’t get enough of it. It is the combination of lasagna flavors in this brilliant soup that makes it perfect for the evening when you don’t know what else to make.
There is another reason why this lasagna soup is so perfect. Many of us tend to lead busy lives and we may not have the time that we would like to prepare lasagna. This soup, however, provides us with all the flavors but it is made in the crockpot, so it saves us time.
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 lb of Ground Beef
14 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
14 oz can of Tomato Sauce
7 cups of Beef Stock
1 Tbsp of Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup of Freshly Grated Parmiggiano
8 oz of Lasagna noodles, broken up into small pieces
1/2 cup of Ricotta
Fresh Basil
Shredded Mozzarella, optional
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Directions:
1) In a large pot, add the olive oil, preheat it over medium high heat, add the onions and ground beef and saute for about 6 to 8 minutes or until they have developed some color and the beef is cooked all the way through. If the ground beef you’re using is very fatty, discard any fat from the bottom of the pan at this point. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2) Add the beef stock, both kinds of tomatoes and italian seasoning, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes.
3) Add the broken pieces of lasagna noodles, cook for 10 minutes, adjust the seasoning to taste, stir in the fresh basil and parmigiano, ladle into bowls then sprinkle a little mozzarella on the top of each one and a dollop of ricotta and as you eat, stir it all together.