Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoons Olive Oil, or preferred oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce can) Diced Tomatoes, don’t drain
- 1 (15-ounce can) Tomato Sauce, or tomato puree
- ⅓ cup Tomato Paste, about half of a 6-ounce can
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1–2 cups Water, to adjust consistency
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, or more as needed to adjust flavor
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (uncooked)
Suggested Toppings
- ½ cup Ricotta Cheese
- 2 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, shaved, shredded, or freshly grated
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Pot: Heat a 4.5-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Cook the Beef and Aromatics: Add the ground beef, onions, and garlic to the pot. Sauté, stirring as needed, until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Tomatoes and Liquids: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and the uncooked bowtie pasta.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the soup mixture to a boil, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to a medium simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook until the pasta is al dente and the soup is nicely blended.
- Adjust Consistency: If the soup is too thick, add small amounts of water or additional broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve and Top: You can stir in the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses to the pot once the soup cools slightly, or let everyone customize their bowls with cheese and fresh parsley at the table.
- Store and Reheat: Let the soup cool completely before refrigerating it in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freezing for up to 90 days. When reheating, add water or broth to loosen the soup as the pasta will have absorbed much of the liquid.
Notes
- Use sturdy pasta shapes like bowtie, macaroni, rigatoni, or penne for best leftovers. Lasagna noodles may fall apart after a day or two.
- Ground beef can be swapped for ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor or lighter option.
- Use canned crushed tomatoes in place of diced tomatoes for a thicker broth.
- If lacking tomato products, substitute with 24 ounces marinara sauce plus 1 cup water.
- Pasta will continue soaking up broth after cooking; add extra water or broth when reheating as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 35mg