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Kid-Friendly Lasagna Soup with Creamy Ricotta (Easy Dinner)

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This quick and easy lasagna soup has all the cheesy, saucy goodness of traditional lasagna but in a bowl you can eat with a spoon. No layering, no fuss, and ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 8 ounces dried lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces (about 6–7 sheets)
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Spoon out excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot.
  3. Sprinkle salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) over the meat. Stir and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Bring soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  6. Add broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Stir well to submerge. Cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. While pasta cooks, combine ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside at room temperature.
  8. Once pasta is tender, taste soup and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls, top with a generous dollop of ricotta mixture, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Notes

For leftovers, cook pasta separately and add to individual bowls when serving to prevent mushiness. The soup tastes even better after resting for 10-15 minutes. To freeze, cook pasta separately and add fresh when serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna soup, kid-friendly, easy dinner, ground beef, ricotta, comfort food, quick meal

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/kid-friendly-lasagna-soup-with-creamy-ricotta-easy-dinner/