Lasagna Soup

My sister-in -law, Ada, made this delicious soup for our family reunion.  It is the taste of lasagna in a bowl.  She combined several recipes to come up with her version.  I have altered that only slightly.

Lasagna Soup

1 1/2 lb. Italian Sausage

1-2  green pepper, diced

3 cups chopped onion

4-5 teaspoons minced garlic

1 quart diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato juice

2 cups chicken broth

6 oz can tomato paste

2 cups tomato sauce

1 cup water

2 T. brown sugar

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp, Italian seasoning

1 T, Better than Bouillon

Mix all of the above and cook in a slow cooker.  An hour or so before serving break up 8 oz of lasagna noodles and cook in boiling, salted water on the stove.  You can use farfalle if you prefer.  When el dente, add the drained pasta to the soup and stir in.

Cheese topping:

8 oz. ricotta or cottage cheese

1/2 c. grated Parmesan

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Pepper

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Mix together and spoon some onto each bowl of soup.  

The leftover are delicious, too.  Serve with garlic bread.