Home Made Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:

For the Soup:

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bay leaf

For the Lasagna Noodles:

• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
• Salt for boiling water

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown Meats:
   • In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage and ground beef over medium-high heat. Break the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic:
   • Add diced onion to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
3. Add Tomatoes and Paste:
   • Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and tomato paste.
4. Pour in Broths and Wine:
   • Add beef broth, chicken broth, and red wine (if using). Stir to combine.
5. Season the Soup:
   • Add dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Drop in a bay leaf. Stir well and bring the soup to a simmer.
6. Cook Lasagna Noodles:
   • Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. Prepare Cheese Mixture:
   • In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
8. Assemble Soup:
   • Add the broken lasagna noodles to the simmering soup. Allow them to cook in the soup for a few minutes until tender.
9. Serve:
   • Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture.
10. Garnish and Enjoy:
    • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade lasagna soup!