Hearty Lasagna Soup Delight
→ Turn off slow cooker; let soup rest 5 minutes (noodles finish cooking in residual heat).
→ Ladle into warm bowls.
→ Top each serving with:
✓ 1 tbsp ricotta (cold dollops stay intact)
✓ 2 tbsp mozzarella
✓ 1 tbsp parmesan
→ Joye’s ritual: Say “Ready?” before passing the bowls.
Tips for Perfect Soup (Joye-Approved!)
🔸 Drain tomatoes sparingly: Petite diced tomatoes’ juice adds brightness—don’t drain it!
🔸 Cold ricotta matters: Warm ricotta melts into the soup; cold stays cloud-like on top.
🔸 Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded contains cellulose—melts poorly.
🔸 Rest before serving: 5 minutes lets flavors marry—no watery broth.
🔸 Say “Ready?” before serving. It’s not superstition—it’s ritual. And rituals make food taste better.
Serving Suggestions (Joye’s Favorites!)
🥖 Classic pairing: Warm crusty bread or garlic toast
🥗 Bright balance: Simple green salad with red wine vinaigrette
🍞 Midwest touch: Buttermilk biscuits with honey butter
🍷 Comfort finish: Iced tea or cold milk in Mason jars
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Fridge (untopped): Up to 3 days. Add noodles day-of to prevent sogginess.
Freezer (uncooked): Assemble everything except noodles and cheese in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight; cook as directed + add noodles last 30 mins.
Freezer (cooked): Freeze soup base (no noodles/cheese) up to 3 months. Thaw; reheat + add fresh noodles/cheese.
Leftover magic: Layer cold soup in a baking dish, top with extra cheese, bake at 375°F until bubbly (20 mins).
Delicious Variations to Try
Twist
How-To
Why You’ll Love It
Garden Harvest
Add 2 cups chopped spinach or kale at the end
Vibrant, nutritious—so spring-like
Meat Lover’s
Swap beef for Italian sausage + ½ lb ground pork
Rich, herby depth—so Kentucky
Gluten-Free Joy
Use GF lasagna noodles (like Barilla)
Safe, tender, still deeply comforting
Dairy-Free Delight
Skip cheese; top with nutritional yeast + olive oil
Umami-rich, allergy-friendly grace
Frequently Asked Questions
