Lasagna Soup

$9.77 total / $1.22 per serving

This soup is a satisfying meal on cold fall/winter nights. It gives the flavor and comfort of lasagna without all of the fuss. My husband particularly loves the additional cheese topping; it is what really makes this soup taste like lasagna. Enough talk, let's get to it!

Nutritional Highlight: Red Pepper Flakes. Not only will this spice add some heat to warm you up on a cold winter night, the capsaicin will also help protect you from some types of cancer. Some research indicates, it may also help curb appetite to aid in weight loss.

Lasagna Soup (serves 8)
Adapted from A Farm Girl's Dabbles

2 tsp olive oil
1 lb. hot or mild Italian Sausage, per preference
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 Tbsp tomato paste
28 oz can Italian stewed diced tomatoes
8 cups chicken stock
8 oz. rigatoni
2 tsp dried basil

Cheesy Yum:
8 oz ricotta
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 cup shredded mozzarella
pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

Add diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. 

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.

To serve, ladle soup in a bowl and top with a dollop of the cheesy yum! Enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis:

Per serving: 403 calories, 20.7g fat (11.1g saturated, 3g polyunsaturated, 11.1g monounsaturated), 28.3g carbohydrate, 25.3g protein. Extremely high in Vitamins A, B-6, and C, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Selenium, and Thiamin. Very high in Vitamin B-12, Manganese, and Zinc. High in Vitamin E, Folate, and Pantothenic Acid.