Name: Sensational Lasagna Soup: Hearty and Healthy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 pound (96%) extra lean ground beef or 99% ground turkey, (see shopping tips); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced; 3 cups zucchini, sliced; 1½ cups onions, chopped; 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 (14 oz) jar pasta or pizza sauce, (such as Barilla, Prego, Ragu or Classico); 1 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning; ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; Black pepper, to taste; 5 dry whole grain or whole wheat lasagna noodles, (broken into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups dry noodle pieces)); 2 cups fresh spinach leaves; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Here's a delightful soup to make this week. It’s so hearty and delicious! It makes a wonderfully satisfying main course soup. It has all the fabulous flavors of a meat lasagna and is loaded with vegetables. The broth is divinely rich and thick. Each large, 2-cup serving, including Parmesan cheese on top, has 262 calories and 6 grams of fat.

Why You'll Love My Sensational Lasagna Soup: Hearty and Healthy

Enjoy the classic taste of lasagna in a warm, comforting soup that's both easy and healthy. My Sensational Lasagna Soup recipe transforms familiar lasagna flavors—rich tomato sauce, savory meat, and cheesy goodness—into a satisfying soup. It's ideal for those seeking a quick, easy, and nutritious meal that doesn't sacrifice flavor. By utilizing lean proteins, plenty of vegetables, and smart ingredient swaps, this soup delivers a satisfying and guilt-free experience. Whether you're looking for a cozy weeknight dinner, a meal prep option, or a lighter alternative to traditional lasagna, this hearty and healthy soup is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients for this Sensational Lasagna Soup

Extra lean ground beef or ground turkey:

Lean Protein Source: Provides essential protein for building and repairing tissues, with minimal fat content.
Savory Flavor: Adds a rich, meaty flavor that is fundamental to lasagna.
Texture: Ground meat creates a hearty, satisfying texture in the soup.
Shopping Tips Significance: 96% lean ground beef or 99% lean ground turkey drastically lowers the fat content, making the soup much healthier.

Minced garlic cloves:

Aromatic Pungency: Garlic releases a strong, pungent aroma and flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Flavor Depth: Adds a complex, savory depth that complements the Italian seasonings and other ingredients.
Health Benefits: Garlic has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Sliced fresh mushrooms:

Earthy Umami: Mushrooms contribute an earthy, umami flavor that adds depth and complexity to the soup.
Tender Texture: When cooked, mushrooms become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth.
Nutrient Content: Mushrooms provide vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and selenium.

Sliced zucchini:

Mild Freshness: Zucchini adds a mild, fresh flavor that complements the other vegetables and tomato-based broth.
Tender Texture: It becomes tender when cooked, adding a soft, satisfying texture to the soup.
Nutritional Value: Zucchini is low in calories and a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Chopped onions:

Sweet Savory Base: Onions create a sweet, savory base that forms the foundation of the soup's flavor.
Aromatic Foundation: They release aromatic compounds when cooked, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
Texture Contribution: They soften during cooking, adding a tender texture to the soup.

Reduced-sodium chicken broth:

Liquid Base: Provides the liquid base for the soup, adding moisture and flavor.
Savory Foundation: Contributes a savory flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Sodium Control: Using reduced-sodium broth helps to manage the salt content of the soup.

Undrained diced tomatoes:

Rich Acidity: Tomatoes add a rich, acidic flavor that balances the other ingredients.
Texture: Diced tomatoes add texture to the dish.
Liquid Contribution: Undrained tomatoes add liquid to the soup, contributing to its overall volume and moisture.

Pasta or pizza sauce:

Concentrated Tomato Flavor: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor that is essential to lasagna.
Thickening Agent: Helps to thicken the soup, creating a rich and hearty texture.
Flavor Base: Forms the flavorful base of the soup, contributing to its overall richness.

Dry Italian seasoning:

Classic Italian Flavors: Adds a blend of classic Italian herbs, such as oregano, basil, and rosemary, that enhance the overall taste.
Flavor Complexity: Contributes to the complexity of the soup's flavor profile.
Convenience: Provides a convenient way to add multiple herbs at once.

Crushed red pepper flakes:

Subtle Heat: Adds a subtle heat that complements the other flavors.
Flavor Complexity: Contributes to the complexity of the soup's flavor profile.
Adjustable Heat: The amount of red pepper flakes can be adjusted to control the heat level.

Black pepper:

Pungent Earthiness: Adds a pungent, earthy flavor that enhances the overall seasoning.
Flavor Balance: Helps to balance the other flavors in the soup.
Taste Enhancement: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Dry whole grain or whole wheat lasagna noodles:

Hearty Texture: Provides a hearty, chewy texture that mimics the layers of traditional lasagna.
Substance: Adds substance to the soup, making it more filling and satisfying.
Fiber Source: Whole grain or whole wheat noodles provide a good source of fiber.
Noodle Size: Breaking the noodles into smaller pieces ensures they cook evenly and are easy to eat in the soup.

Fresh spinach leaves:

Nutrient Boost: Adds a boost of vitamins and minerals, including iron and vitamin K.
Vibrant Color: Contributes a vibrant green color that enhances the visual appeal of the soup.
Mild Flavor: Has a mild, earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Quick Wilting: Wilts quickly when added to hot liquid, making it easy to incorporate.

Grated Parmesan cheese:

Salty Savoryness: Adds a salty, savory, and nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Classic Lasagna Element: Provides a classic lasagna element, replicating the cheesy topping of traditional lasagna.
Garnish: Acts as a nice garnish.

How to Make Sensational Lasagna Soup: A Hearty and Healthy Guide

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Garlic

Pot Preparation: In a large nonstick pot or pan, place 1 pound of (96%) extra lean ground beef or 99% ground turkey and 2 minced garlic cloves.
Browning Process: Cook the meat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is browned and crumbled. This process typically takes 5-7 minutes.
Fat Drainage: Pour the browned meat into a colander to drain off any excess fat. This step is crucial for reducing the overall fat content of the soup.

Step 2: Combine the Soup Ingredients

Return to Pot: Return the drained meat to the pot.
Vegetable Addition: Add 3 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms, 3 cups of sliced zucchini, and 1½ cups of chopped onions to the pot.
Liquid and Sauce Addition: Stir in 4 cups of reduced-sodium chicken broth, 1 (14.5 oz) can of undrained diced tomatoes, and 1 (14 oz) jar of pasta or pizza sauce.
Spice Infusion: Add 1 teaspoon of dry Italian seasoning, ⅛ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper to taste.
Boiling Point: Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Heat Reduction: Once the soup reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cover and Simmer: Cover the pot and simmer the soup for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

Uncover and Boil: Uncover the pot and increase the heat to medium-high to bring the soup back to a boil.
Noodle Addition: Stir in 5 dry whole grain or whole wheat lasagna noodles, broken into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups dry noodle pieces).
Noodle Cooking: Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5: Add Spinach and Let Sit

Spinach Incorporation: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves.
Spinach Wilting: Let the soup sit for 5 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and become tender.
Thickness Adjustment: If the soup becomes too thick during cooking or to your liking, add ½ to 1 cup of water. Remember that the soup thickens when refrigerated and thins when reheated.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Ladle Soup: Ladle 2 cups of the lasagna soup into each serving bowl.
Parmesan Topping: Top each serving with 2 teaspoons of grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 7: Storage and Freezing

Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips for Success:

Lean Meat: Using extra lean ground beef or ground turkey significantly reduces the fat content of the soup.
Fat Drainage: Draining the fat after browning the meat is crucial for a healthier soup.
Noodle Cooking: Monitor the noodles closely during cooking to prevent them from becoming overcooked or mushy.
Spinach Wilting: The spinach will wilt quickly in the hot soup, so there's no need to cook it for an extended period.
Thickness Adjustment: Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding water as needed.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh vegetables and high-quality ingredients will enhance the flavor of the soup.
Parmesan Addition: Add the Parmesan cheese just before serving to prevent it from melting and becoming stringy.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 12 cups total. Each main course servings, 2 cups of soup and 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese.

Shopping Tips
Happily, most supermarkets sell lean ground beef. I used the 96% lean ground beef from Trader Joe’s.

There are several brands of whole wheat or whole grain lasagna noodles that will work great for this recipe. I used a brand called Eating Right and bought it at Vons/Safeway.

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 4-Blue (made with 99% ground turkey)
WW SmartPoints 6-Green (made with extra-lean ground beef)
WW POINTS PLUS 6

SKINNY FACTS: for a 2 cup serving with Parmesan cheese
262 cal, 6g fat, 2g sat. fat, 43mg chol, 24g protein, 32g carbs, 7g fiber, 741mg sod, 10g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
132 calories, 1g sat. fat, 7g sugar, 7g protein