One Pot Lasagna Soup

We have a Halloween tradition. Our great friends come over. We have a tummy-warming dinner of soup or chili (I try to make a new one each year) with fresh bread or cornbread and salad, and then we head out with all the kiddos into the (usually rainy) weather for a night of trick-or treating. The cold and rain is okay, because we have to-go mugs filled with wassail and brandy or Baileys and hot chocolate. Then we come back to the house, and while the kids go through their loot, we have dessert. Usually pumpkin crunch.

It is a perfect fall evening. Even in the rain.

Anyway, like I said, I try to make a different soup each year. This year, I made something I’ve been wanting to try for years, and just never had. Lasagna soup. I have to say, I was missing out. This stuff is amazing. Topped with fresh mozzarella or Parmesan, it tastes like a big bowl of lasagna. So good.

I served it with warm sourdough rolls with lots of butter, and our friends brought a delicious salad. AND It was easy to make, only dirtied one pot, and the ingredients were cheap. What more could you possibly ask for?

Well, maybe no rain next year. I’ll go ahead and ask for that.

Happy holidays everybody.

Recipe slightly adapted from Kitchme.com

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed
32oz chicken broth (beef broth would also work)
2 – 14.5oz cans of diced tomatoes
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups broken lasagna noodles

fresh mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, basil (optional, for toppings)

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, combine ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well.
Stir in brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add noodles and simmer until the noodles are tender.
Top with cheese and basil. Enjoy.