Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Brown the sausage
- Brown hot Italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat, then drain the fat (about 6–8 minutes). You’re looking for browned crumbles with no visible pink.
Sauté aromatics
- Sauté the diced onion for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add minced garlic, minced jalapeños, and tomato paste, then cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Bloom the spices
- Stir in red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and cayenne, then cook for 1 minute. The spices should darken slightly and look glossy.
Simmer the soup
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning, then bring to a boil. Keep it at a steady boil before lowering heat.
Cook the noodles
- Add broken lasagna noodles and simmer for 10–12 minutes until tender. Stir occasionally so noodles don’t stick, and watch for softened edges.
Season and finish
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust until the broth pops.
Make the cooling ricotta dollop and serve
- Mix ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan for the cooling dollop, then top each bowl with a spoonful. Serve with a drizzle of chili oil and finish with fresh basil.
Notes
Pro tip: If the soup thickens as the noodles soften, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days; reheat gently until hot, adding broth if needed. Freezing: yes, though noodles may soften further. For a lower-dairy option, use part-skim ricotta and reduced-fat mozzarella in the cooling dollop.
