Hearty Soups (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil.
02 - 1 pound Ground Beef.
03 - 1 large Onion, diced.
04 - 4 cloves Garlic, minced.
05 - 1 (15-ounce) can Diced Tomatoes (do not drain).
06 - 1 (15-ounce) can Tomato Sauce or tomato puree.
07 - 3 ounces Tomato Paste (1/4 cup).
08 - 4 cups Chicken Broth.
09 - 1-2 cups Water (or more as needed to adjust consistency).
10 - 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning.
11 - 1 teaspoon Sea Salt (or more as needed to adjust flavor).
12 - Black Pepper to taste.
13 - 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (uncooked).
14 - Suggested toppings: 1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese, 2 ounces shredded Mozzarella Cheese (about 1/2 cup), 1/4 cup shaved, shredded, or fresh grated Parmesan Cheese, 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped.

Instructions:

01 - Heat a 4.5-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering.
02 - Add ground beef, onions, and garlic. Sauté until the beef is cooked through, stirring as needed. Drain excess fat, if necessary.
03 - Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and pasta noodles.
04 - Increase heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a medium simmer and cook soup for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is cooked, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
06 - Add additional water or broth if needed to reach the desired consistency.
07 - For serving: Either add ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to the entire soup or serve on the side for individual portions. Garnish with fresh parsley.
08 - Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 90 days.
09 - To reheat: Add more water or broth as the noodles absorb much of the broth during storage.

Notes:

01 - This soup is great for meal prep, as it can be stored in the fridge for a few days and tastes even better as the flavors meld.
02 - Adding toppings individually allows for customization and ensures that each person can adjust the cheese level to their taste.
03 - For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat and use vegetable broth.