Making this delicious High Protein Lasagna Soup is straightforward and fun! Follow these steps for a comforting meal.

• In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 diced medium onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and add 1.5 lbs of lean ground beef or ground chicken Italian sausage (or a combination of both). Cook until the meat is well browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with 2 tbsp of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp of salt, and ½ tsp of pepper.

Ensuring the safety of your meal, the USDA provides clear guidelines on the safe minimum cooking temperatures for ground meat.

• Stir in 3 tbsp of tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until fully incorporated. Pour in 4 cups of chicken bone broth or beef broth (increase to 8 cups if cooking pasta directly in the soup) and 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
• If adding pasta directly to the soup, stir in 8 oz of noodles (lasagna, elbow, or penne) after the soup has simmered for 30 minutes and cook until al dente. If you prefer to keep the pasta separate, especially if planning for leftovers, cook the pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot, drain, and set aside.
• A few minutes before serving, reduce the heat and stir in 1 ½ cups of low-fat cottage cheese until smoothly integrated. Add 4 cups of baby spinach and stir until wilted. Then, mix in 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of shredded light mozzarella cheese until everything is well combined and the cheeses are melted.
• Give the soup a good stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting if necessary. If pasta was cooked separately, add it into the soup now or place a desired amount directly into serving bowls.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Optionally garnish each serving with a dollop of ricotta, extra shredded cheese, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to enhance the flavors.