Embracing Coziness: A Winter Home Refresh and Comforting Soup Recipe👩‍🍳

In the winter’s embrace, the cozy nest of home becomes a sanctuary, warmed not just by blankets but by the comforting aroma of winter feasts, turning each meal into a celebration of comfort and joy…

💕Marcia

As the holiday season winds down, there’s a unique joy in putting away the festive decor, clearing spaces, and embracing the promise of a new year. Living in a region where winter brings colder temperatures and rain, I find solace in creating a warm and inviting home during this time.

Each room becomes a sanctuary, and I relish the opportunity to nestle into the comfort of my space.

Whether it’s rearranging furniture, adding cozy blankets, or finding new ways to use spaces, this month is dedicated to making my home a haven. The heart of my home, the kitchen, takes center stage as I explore different recipes perfect for the season.

One recent creation that perfectly captures the essence of comfort food is my twist on lasagna soup. In an effort to cater to my dietary choices, I substituted red meat with Impossible Burger, creating a delightful alternative for those who share similar preferences. Of course, you can customize the recipe using ground meat

Crockpot Lasagna Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or impossible burger (for a vegetarian option)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk (for a dairy-free option)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (omit for a dairy-free option)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (omit for a dairy-free option)
• Ricotta cheese for serving (omit for a dairy-free option)
• Fresh basil, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat:
   • In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Impossible Burger until cooked through. If using ground beef, make sure to drain any excess fat. Once browned, place the meat into the crockpot.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   • Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, tomato paste, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the meat in the crockpot. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook:
   • Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
4. Add Noodles:
   • During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, add the broken lasagna noodles, and stir into the soup. Continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
5. Finish with Dairy:
   • Turn the crockpot off and stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheeses are melted.
6. Serve:
   • Ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of ricotta cheese, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella (if desired), and fresh basil. Serve hot.

Notes:

• If you prefer your soup less thick, you can add additional broth to achieve your desired consistency.🥰

Enjoy your homemade crockpot lasagna soup that not only warms the body but also embraces the spirit of a comfortable winter’s home!