Lasagna Soup

When I make Lasagna, it's an all day project, but well worth the work.  It's one of my most requested recipes.  This soup although it really doesn't taste like my lasagna, it's still awesome.   It's easy to make and is wonderful on a chilly fall or winter day.

LASAGNA SOUP
(serves 10)

Ingredients:
*1 pound lean ground beef
*1/2 pound Italian sausage
*1 large yellow onion, chopped
*1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
*1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
*4 garlic cloves, minced
*2 teaspoons dried oregano
*1/2 teaspoon dried basil
*1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
*1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
*2 bay leaves
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
*1 (32 ounce) box chicken stock
*1 (28 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
*1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
*2 cups, broken lasagna noodles or 8 ounces fusilli pasta or 8 ounces small shells
*1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
*8 ounce ricotta cheese
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
*2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:
~Mix parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt & 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes in small bowl.
~Cover and refrigerate until ready for use.
~In a large dutch oven, combine ground beef, italian sausage, onion, green pepper, red pepper & garlic.
~Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the ground beef & italian sausage, until meat is browned & in crumbles.
~Drain any grease off.
~Stir in oregano, basil, 1 tablespoon parsley flakes, red pepper flakes, sugar, bay leafs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, brown sugar, chicken stock, diced fire roasted tomatoes & tomato sauce.
~Bring soup to a low boil.
~Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
~Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
~Cook noodles until done & drain.
~Put desired amount of noodles into individual soup bowls.
~Ladle soup over noodles.
~Put a dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture in each soup bowl.
~Top with mozzarella cheese.

***If you wan't to make this extra yummy.  Put the soup into oven proof bowls and place under oven broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese in brown & bubbly.

***Do not add noodles until ready to dish up soup, or the noodles will soak up the extra liquid.

Variations:
~Add some toasted garlic bread to soup.