Lasagna Soup with Italian Sausage and Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 ounces lean ground beef
• 8 ounces ground Italian sausage
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 7 cups low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 9 sheets dry lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, optional
• 10 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish