Cheese Crusted Lasagna Soup

Soup
1 lb. Italian sausage
2 onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. oregano
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (you may omit these)
2 T tomato paste
1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium bell pepper, diced
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 C fresh spinach
6 C chicken broth
8 oz. whole wheat pasta shells

Cheese Base {per bowl}
1 T ricotta cheese
1 T Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 T Mozzarella cheese, shredded
salt and pepper, to taste


Brown sausage until cooked through. Drain excess grease.
In a large stockpot, add onion, garlic, oregano, mushrooms, bell pepper, and red pepper flakes and a bit of olive oil (if needed) and saute about 5 minutes. Then, add in sausage and tomato paste and saute until lightly browned.
Add in the tomatoes, broth and bay leaf.
Simmer the soup for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Add in the pasta and spinach and cook until tender; about 7-9 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
Add in basil and season with salt and pepper.Place ricotta cheese in the bottom of the soup bowl. op with Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper, as desired. Serve soup over the cheeses in the bowl. Makes about 13 C ups of soup.

Happy Eating!!!