1-Getting Started with Prep: First, gather your ingredients and set up your workspace think of it as your kitchen mise en place. Start with 1/2 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound sausage, along with 1 chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 24 ounces marinara sauce, 7 cups broth, and 9 broken lasagna noodles. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and fun, just like prepping for a quick family dinner.

2-Browning the Meat: Heat things up by cooking the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat until they’re nicely browned. This takes about 5-7 minutes, and don’t forget to season with salt and pepper as it cooks. Once done, drain the grease and set the meat aside this step builds that hearty base we all love in stovetop ground beef lasagna soup.

3-Sautéing the Aromatics: Next, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot and sauté the chopped onion for around 5 minutes until it softens. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes to let those flavors shine. It’s all about layering tastes here to make your soup irresistible.

4-Combining and Simmering: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, the marinara sauce, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 7 cups broth. Return the meat to the pot and bring everything to a boil. Add the broken lasagna noodles, then lower the heat and simmer until the noodles are tender, stirring now and then. If you’re using spinach, throw in 2 cups and let it wilt for a minute or two.

5-Finishing Touches: In a small bowl, mix 10 ounces ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with a dollop of this cheesy blend. Garnish with fresh basil for that final pop of flavor. Remember, letting it rest for a few minutes helps the tastes meld together beautifully.