19 ounces italian sausage links, cut into bite-size pieces - This is the typical size for the Johnsonville italian sausage packages. If you have more, or less, it won’t matter much. Just add what you have or however much you want.
1 onion diced finely - My husband could live without this all together. They still have a bit of crunch even after 8 hours in the crockpot. Your call.
5 garlic cloves minced
1 Tablespoon dried Oregano
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
One (1) 6 oz can of tomato paste
Two (2) 14 oz cans diced tomatoes - I used oregano, basil flavored tomatoes. Most recipes call for a 28-oz can of fire-roasted tomatoes, but I didn’t have this on hand. So I added a 4-oz can of fire-roasted chilies for that smokey flavor. If you use the fire-roasted tomatoes, you could probably leave out the 4 ounces of chilies.
One (1) 4 oz can of fire-roasted green chilies
2 bay leaves
6 Cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
10-12 ounces uncooked pasta - I used shells, but you could use whatever kind you have on hand!
Ricotta and shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
Instructions
In a large slow cooker (6 quart or larger probably) combine all the ingredients except pasta and cheeses. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
For the last 30 minutes of cooking, add in your uncooked pasta.
When ready to serve, ladle into bowls and add a dollop of ricotta and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. If you want to get fancy you can put it under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted and started to brown. I admit – I tried this and nearly burned my cheese and the bowl was so hot, it was difficult to manage. I recommend just adding the cheese and stirring it in to melt. It won’t look as pretty, but it’s a lot less work.
Recipe by A Happy Hive at https://ahappyhive.com/slow-cooker-lasagna-soup/