Tag: #soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Literally “pasta and beans,” a warming Italian soup that’s perfect cold weather comfort food.
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 medium)
  • 1 cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp)
  • 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 14.5 oz cans low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup water, then more as desired
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup dry ditalini pasta
  • 1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • Finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • 3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat, crumble in ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally until cooked through.
  2. Drain fat from beef then transfer beef to a plate, set aside. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil in same pot.
  3. Add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté over medium-high heat until tender about 6 minutes, add garlic and sauté 1 minute longer.
  4. Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, canned tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram and cooked beef then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft, about 15 – 20 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile prepare ditalani pasta according to directions on package, cooking to al dente.
  7. Add cooked and drained pasta to soup* along with kidney beans and great northern beans. Thin with a little more broth or water if desired.
  8. Allow to cook 1 minute longer. Stir in parsley, serve warm with grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.

Sausage and Spinach Tortellini Soup

A bowl of soup in the fall puts the heart at ease.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your preference)
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1-1/2 cups torn fresh spinach
  • 3/4 cup refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Directions
  1. In a small saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  2. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, add spinach and tortellini; cook until tortellini is tender, 7-9 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. If desired, top with crushed red pepper flakes.