Tastes Like Lasagna Soup/ Quick Galic Bread

By JJCR

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground chuck
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (32 oz. box chicken broth
• 2 (14.5 oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 cups broken lasagna noodles
• 1 (5 oz.) package grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (5.5 ) box Italian seasoned croutons
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large Dutch oven, combine ground chuck, onion, bell pepper, and garlic: cook over medium high heat, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well.
2. Stir in broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over med. high heat; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
3. Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 10 ovenproof bowls. Top with croutons; sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6 inches from heat, 3-4 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Serve immediately.

QUICK GARLIC BREAD
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. minced fresh basil
1 (16 oz.) loaf Italian bread, split lengthwise

1. Preheat broiler
2. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, and basil. Spread butter mixture evenly over cut sides of bread. Place on a baking sheet.
3.Broil bread, 5 inches from heat, 3-4 minutes, or until toasted and bubbly. Cut into slices to serve.


PAULA DEEN, QUICK AND EASY MEALS