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Cozy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup with Ricotta

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A comforting, easy-to-make soup that captures the flavors of lasagna in a broth. Browned Italian sausage, broken noodles, and dollops of creamy ricotta create a hearty meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if needed)
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
  • 1 carton (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 package dry lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 container (15 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Transfer to a plate to drain excess grease.
  2. In the same skillet, add olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced onion for 3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits from the pan.
  3. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the browned sausage back in. Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
  5. Break the lasagna noodles into 2-inch pieces and add them to the slow cooker. Stir gently to submerge noodles in the liquid.
  6. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours, until noodles are tender.
  7. About 10 minutes before serving, scoop ricotta into a separate bowl and mix with a little hot soup broth to loosen. Dollop the ricotta mixture into the hot soup. Do not stir completely; let it float.
  8. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Browning the sausage is recommended for deeper flavor, though skipping it is possible.’, ‘Do not dump the entire container of ricotta in at once; mix with broth first to prevent curdling and maintain texture.’, ‘Noodles absorb liquid, so the soup will thicken as it sits. Add more broth when reheating.’, ‘For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with mushrooms or lentils.’, ‘No-boil lasagna noodles can be used, but monitor liquid levels closely.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker lasagna soup, ricotta soup, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, Italian sausage soup, one pot meal

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/cozy-slow-cooker-lasagna-soup-with-ricotta-30-min-easy-meal/