Lasagna Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound pasta
• 4 ounces ricotta
• 1/2 cup parmiginao reggiano (parmesan), grated
• 2 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1 handful basil, chopped

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes, breaking it apart as you go and set aside.
3. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, red pepper flake and fennel and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, sausage, oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes and remove from heat.
7. Mix the ricotta, parmiginao reggiano and mozzarella and serve the soup garnished with a tablespoon of the mixture along with the basil.