Tomato-based soup with pasta, melty cheeses, and golden Parmesan crisps for a warming Italian-inspired meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 10.5 oz ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
→ Liquids
08 - 4 cups low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
09 - 1 2/3 cups water
→ Pasta
10 - 4 oz lasagne noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
→ Dairy
11 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
12 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for soup)
14 - 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for crisps)
→ Herbs & Spices
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
17 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
19 - Fresh basil, for garnish
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange heaping tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese (2/3 cup) onto the prepared baking sheet and flatten into thin rounds. Bake for 6–8 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow crisps to cool completely.
02 - Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute, allowing flavors to develop.
06 - Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef or vegetable broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
07 - Add broken lasagne noodles and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are al dente.
08 - Reduce heat to low. Fold in ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese for the soup. Stir until the cheeses are melted and fully combined. Season with salt and pepper.
09 - Ladle the soup into bowls. Top each with a Parmesan crisp and garnish with fresh basil.
