Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 4–6 hours (Low) | Servings: 6
Ingredients
- The Meat: 1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage, browned and drained.
- The Pasta: 8 oz bow tie (farfalle) pasta or broken lasagna noodles.
- The Soup Base:
- 24 oz marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes.
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth.
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- The Flavorings:
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
- 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- The Cheesy Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.
- Dollop of ricotta cheese (optional).
- Garnish: Fresh or dried parsley.
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until fully browned. Drain the excess fat.
- Combine: Add the cooked meat, marinara sauce, broth, onion, garlic, and seasonings into your slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4–6 hours (or High for 2–3 hours) to let the savory flavors meld together.
- Add Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the dry pasta. Cover and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
- Finish: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in half of the shredded cheese until it melts into the broth.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into deep bowls. Top each serving with the remaining shredded cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.