Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 64 oz beef stock (two 32 oz containers)
- 1 pound mini lasagna noodles
Toppings (Optional)
- Ricotta cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Shredded mozzarella
- Fresh basil
- Garlic bread
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns. Once browned, add the diced onion and sauté for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add aromatics and seasonings: Stir in the chopped garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef stock. Stir well to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the noodles: While the soup simmers, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mini lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- Combine noodles with soup: Add the drained noodles to the simmering soup and stir to combine thoroughly. Continue simmering for a few more minutes so the noodles absorb the soup’s flavors.
- Serve with toppings: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with your choice of ricotta, cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, fresh basil, and garlic bread on the side. Enjoy your cozy lasagna soup!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- Cooking noodles separately prevents them from becoming overly soft and soggy in the soup.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; noodles may absorb more liquid overnight, so you might want to add a bit more stock when reheating.
- Fresh basil added before serving brightens the flavor and adds a nice garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American