Ingredients
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step in creating this delightful dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
If you’re looking for substitutions, ground turkey works well in place of beef, and you can swap out regular noodles for gluten-free ones if needed. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences.
Instructions
Let’s turn these ingredients into a deliciously creamy soup that your family will request time and time again.
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, allowing the spices to bloom for about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add them to the pot. Cook until they are al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream, followed by the ricotta cheese. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
- Finally, add the mozzarella cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
Cooking this soup always brings me back to those bustling evenings in my grandmother’s kitchen—where love and laughter were stirred into every meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International