Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Tomato Base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly. This deepens the tomato flavor. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the tomato sauce.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth and 1 cup of water. Add the Italian seasoning, sea salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir everything together, bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Uncover the pot, increase the heat to medium, and bring the soup back to a gentle boil. Stir in the uncooked bowtie pasta. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup becomes too thick, add the remaining cup of water.
- Prepare the Cheese Topping: While the pasta cooks, mix the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a small bowl.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous dollop of the ricotta cheese mixture and a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Cook pasta just to al dente to avoid it becoming mushy. For make-ahead, prepare the soup base and cook the pasta separately just before serving. The soup base can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen (without pasta) for up to 3 months. You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken. Add vegetables like carrots, celery, or spinach for extra nutrition.
