Lasagna Soup

     I got this recipe from Family Fun magazine back in February 2009 and we have been enjoying it ever since.  I tweaked it a little, of course, and this is what I have come up with.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 lb sausage 

1 1/2 cups frozen, chopped onions

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp tomato paste

28 oz can diced tomatoes

6 cups chicken broth

2 bay leaves

12 oz Rotini pasta

1 Tbsp basil

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1/4 tsp salt

pinch of pepper

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1.  Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium high heat.  Drain fat.

2.  Add the onions and saute until softened.

3.  Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and saute for 1 minute.

4.  Add the tomato paste and saute for 5 minutes.

5.  Add the tomatoes with their juice, the broth, and the bay leaves and bring the soup to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

6.  Add the pasta, then increase the heat to medium high and boil the soup until the pasta is tender, following the time recommendation on the package.  

7.  Discard the bay leaves, then stir in the basil.  

8.  Stir in salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

9.  To serve, place soup in a bowl and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.