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Hungry for something that hits the spot? My Tomato Ravioli Soup throws together stuffed pasta pockets with a hearty tomato base that'll knock your socks off. I found this dish during a crazy-busy week and it's turned into my dinnertime hero. What's so great? It mixes cheese-filled ravioli floating in a tasty Mediterranean-style soup with perfectly cooked beef and vegetables. When the temperature drops, my kids won't stop asking for this one.
What Makes This Soup Special
Believe me, this soup changes the whole dinner game. From my years running a food blog, I get what hectic households want. This single-pot creation comes together so quickly you'll actually have time to relax and eat. The mixture of pasta and meat fills you up without leaving you stuffed. My followers always mention their little ones clean their bowls without griping about eating their veggies. And guess what? It tastes way better when you heat it up next day—works great in packed lunches.
Your Ingredient List
- Ground beef: It adds that satisfying chunky texture my household can't get enough of.
- Crushed tomatoes: I always stock these—they create the most amazing base for the soup.
- Tomato paste: This is my go-to trick for getting intense tomato goodness.
- Onions: The milder varieties work wonders in this dish.
- Fresh parsley: Gives such a nice burst of garden freshness.
- Garlic cloves: Nothing beats the taste of real garlic in this soup.
- Dried basil: Creates that genuine Italian feeling throughout.
- Sugar: Just a tiny bit evens out all the flavors.
- Dried oregano: Another essential Italian seasoning I always reach for.
- Onion salt: This brings an extra depth of flavor to everything.
- Dried thyme: Adds that subtle note that connects all ingredients.
- Cheese ravioli: I usually find mine in the cold section at the grocery store.
- Grated parmesan cheese: Grating it yourself really makes a big difference.
- Minced fresh parsley: A handful sprinkled on top makes it look amazing.
Simple Cooking Steps
- Step 1: Build Your Tasty Foundation
- Pull out a big soup pot and cook your ground beef on medium until it breaks apart nicely, around 5-7 minutes. Drain off the fat, then throw in your water, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, parsley, garlic and all those yummy spices. Let it bubble up to a boil, then lower the heat and let it cook covered for half an hour. This waiting time works wonders—everything blends together and the onions get nice and soft.
- Step 2: Mix In The Main Attraction
- Here comes the best bit! Cook those ravioli according to what the package says, then dump them into your beautiful soup. Stir everything around and add that Parmesan—it makes the whole thing extra smooth and yummy. I always finish with some chopped parsley scattered over the top, which looks fantastic when you bring it to the table.
Ways To Switch It Up
Sometimes I swap out beef for hot Italian sausage—it brings an incredible kick to the soup. When I'm feeling fancy, I'll pour in a bit of heavy cream at the end—it's absolutely divine! Got too much from the garden? I just toss in whatever vegetables need using up. Things like zucchini, bell peppers and baby spinach work so well in this dish. Every version brings its own special touch, and my family never gets tired of it. Try different things and see how you like it best.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Definitely! The soup base can stay refrigerated for up to three days. Just cook the ravioli right before serving to avoid soggy pasta.
- → Will this freeze well?
You can freeze the base for up to three months. Add fresh ravioli when heating it up since frozen pasta might get too soft.
- → What goes well with this dish?
It's wonderful with garlic bread, salads, or extra Parmesan sprinkled on top. Fresh herbs also make a great garnish!
- → Can I use any ravioli?
Of course! Whether it's mushroom, spinach, or meat-filled ravioli, all work well. Just check their cooking instructions first.
- → How do I make this vegetarian?
Omit the ground beef and swap in veggie broth. Adding mushrooms or other vegetables can boost the flavor. Check your ravioli to ensure it's vegetarian-friendly, too.
References
Reliable references aided in composing and refining this content.
- Inspired by classic Italian cooking.