Ingredients
Sauté Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 5-6 cloves garlic, chopped
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (93/7)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 5 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into bite-sized pieces
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Heat and Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large 5-quart braiser or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring often to prevent burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the tomato paste, ground beef, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Add Liquids and Bring to Boil: Stir in the marinara sauce and low-sodium beef broth. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot. Cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking, until they are just tender but not mushy.
- Add Spinach: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the baby spinach and cook until it wilts, releasing its moisture into the soup.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Stir in the low-fat cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese until combined and warmed through. Keep the heat low to avoid boiling, as this helps retain the creaminess of the cheeses.
- Adjust Consistency and Seasoning: If the soup is too thick, add a splash of broth to reach your desired consistency. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or red pepper flakes, if desired, for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Be sure to stir the lasagna noodles frequently while cooking to prevent sticking.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the soup.
- Adding the cheeses off the boil preserves the creamy texture without curdling.
- The soup can be garnished with fresh basil or parsley for added freshness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid breaking the cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat