1 lb 90% lean ground beef - or 1/2 lb each lean ground beef and Italian sausage
1/2 onion diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken or beef broth
4 cups marinara sauce
-- or --
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes, with the juice
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 T Italian seasoning*
1 t salt
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
2 cups uncooked pasta, like Mafalda (looks like tiny lasagna) or Campanelle (looks like a trumpet or lily flower)
The Cheesy Stuff
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
* Italian seasoning: 1/2 T each basil and oregano or 3/4 t each basil, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram
Stir the Cheesy Stuff ingredients together in a bowl, and set aside.
Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add meat and onions. Cook, stirring often, until meat is cooked through.
Add the garlic. Cook and stir for one minute, then stir in the broth.
Add the marinara sauce --or-- the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat until soup starts to boil, then stir in the noodles and reduce the heat.
Simmer until pasta is tender.
To serve:
Add a blop of Cheesy Stuff to the top of each bowl of lasagna soup.
The Johnson Family Cookbook