Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

for the soup:
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
• 3 c. chopped onions
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 c. chicken stock
• 8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta
• 1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
for the cheesy yum:
• 8 oz. ricotta
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• pinch of freshly ground pepper
additional cheesy yum:
• 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

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, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. 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. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

White Chili

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped mild green chilies or 2 bags frozen chilis
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 (16 ounce) cans great northern beans, undrained
6 cups chicken broth
4 cups chopped cooked chicken, to taste
3 cups grated monterey jack cheese

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat.
2. Add onions and saute until translucent, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, then chilies, cumin, oregano, and cayenne and saute 2 minutes.
4. Add undrained beans and stock and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and add chicken and cheese to chili and stir until cheese melts.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls.


Great to Freeze!
I usually thicken the soup with corn starch to make it thicker.
Serve with tortillas and extra montery jack cheese to top it off with.

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (16 ounce) can white beans or 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (11 ounce) can niblet corn
1 (11 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes & chilies (hot)
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies or 1 bag frozen green chilies
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix (hot)
1 (1 ounce) envelope hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 lb shredded chicken, ground beef or 1 lb any meat

Directions:

1. Cook meat and drain.
2. Shred if needed.
3. Add all ingredients to crock pot.
4. DO NOT DRAIN CANS.
5. Stir.
6. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
7. Keep on low until serving to keep hot.
8. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips.


I made this for a soup pot luck, the only change is to add more green chilies to make it spicier.