Foodie Friday: Get the best of both worlds by combing lasagne and soup for one filling meal. This hearty dish hits the spot on those cold winter nights.

Ingredients:

For Soup

  • cooking spray
  • 400g sweet Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 crushed cloves garlic
  • 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups quick marinara sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 packet broken lasagna noodles

For Topping

  • 6 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese*
  • 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
  • 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil

Instructions:

  1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat, spray with oil and add the sausage; cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks with a wooden spoon about 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Add the parsley, broth, water, marinara sauce, bay leaves and fresh black pepper and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, parmesan, and 2 tbsp parsley and mix.
  5. Add the broken pasta and cook uncovered according to package directions.
  6. Divide between 6 bowls and top each with 2 tbsp ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella, fresh cracked pepper and fresh basil on top.
  7. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, spray with oil and add the sausage; cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks with a wooden spoon about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  8. Let simmer or if you have a slow cooker transfer to the slow cooker and add the parsley, broth, water, marinara sauce, bay leaves and fresh black pepper. Cover and set the slow cooker to low 8 hours or high 4 hours.
  9. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine the ricotta, parmesan, and 2 tablespoons of the parsley and mix well; set aside until the soup is ready.
  10. About 30 minutes before the soup is ready, remove the bay leaves and add the spinach and broken pasta, cover and cook until the pasta is cooked, about 30 minutes. Divide between 6 bowls and top each with 2 tbsp ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella, fresh cracked pepper and fresh basil on top.

Source: Skinnytaste.com