📖 Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients: Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. It’s much easier when you don’t have to stop mid-cooking to hunt for something! So basically what I mean is, let's collect: 1 pound Italian sausage, 1 onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, salt and pepper to taste, 8 ounces lasagna noodles (broken into pieces), 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
2. Brown the sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess grease. You really don't want too much grease at this stage.
3. Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the sausage. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. The smell alone is worth it!
4. Add the liquids: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato sauce. Stir in the dried oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Simmer the soup: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Simmering is key. Don't rush this step.
6. Add the noodles: Stir in the broken lasagna noodles. Cook until the noodles are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
7. Prepare the ricotta mixture: While the noodles are cooking, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Mix well. You might want to add a pinch of salt.
8. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the lasagna soup into bowls. Top each serving with a spoonful of the ricotta mixture. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy! I personally like to add a drizzle of olive oil to each bowl as well.
9. Extra Tips: Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. Add your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini. You can also use ground beef or turkey instead of Italian sausage. And if you're feeling adventurous, add a splash of red wine to the soup for extra depth of flavor. Keep in mind that wine is optional of course.