Bolognese Soup with Pasta Shells [Video]

by Tatiana
Published: Updated:
Bolognese Soup with Pasta Shells

Bolognese soup is aromatic and filling, it is a perfect recipe for the times when you want to balance protein and carbs on the same plate. Bring Italy to your kitchen in less than 30 minutes. 

Bolognese sauce is one of the most representative sauces of good Italian cuisine, and not by chance. Recipes like Lasagna Bolognese and Rigatoni Bolognese are the proof of the timelessness and institution of this meaty sauce with tomatoes. How could I miss the chance to cook a bolognese soup knowing exactly how it will come up?

Bolognese Soup with Pasta ShellsThe soup is one of my favorite recipes because it is healthy, hearty, and is kind on the wallet. A real comfort food for you not to miss especially for the times you need to recover after an intense workout. Damn it, let’s be honest, it is just perfect for any occasion, for the times you wish to spoil yourself with a basic yet delicious recipe.

What meat to use for the bolognese soup?

The best meat to use for this soup recipe is ground beef. That is what the original recipe dictates. However, if there’s someone in your family who can’t stand beef, use ground pork or even turkey. I can sometimes use pork instead of beef because one of my friends can’t stand the smell of ground meat. So to make her happy, I can make this exception:). The result is either way delicious.

Bolognese Soup with Pasta Shells

Also, you can buy beef loin or steak or goulash chunks and grind them yourself at home. Actually, you can grind any meat if you have a proper food processor.

What veggie to use for the bolognese soup?

The good part of this soup is that it requires a minimum of veggies. You will only need onion, some carrots, a few garlic cloves, and a few celery sticks. It is all it takes, you’re set to cook a finger-licking bolognese soup.

If you like other veggies such as leek, you can use it to enrich the taste. Also, skip any vegetables that don’t fit the taste.

Can I use water instead of stock?

Bolognese Soup with Pasta ShellsYes, replace the stock with plain water if you wish. However, the well-rounded taste is completed by the stock. Water cannot bring the same range of aromas and tastes to the soup as the stock would. If you don’t have beef stock, use any other meat stock. Or, you can use vegetable stock as well. For this exact recipe, I used beef and pork stock because that’s what I had in my provisions. If you want the soup to come out thinner, use broth instead of stock.

My point is that you can use all three options for the soup: water broth or stock. Any of the three liquids will do a great job because this recipe is very versatile.

How to make the bolognese soup?

Bolognese Soup with Pasta ShellsThe first thing to start with is the ground meat. Use a soup pan to heat up a few tablespoons of olive oil. Then, add in the meat and mix often in order to break the meat into tiny pieces. Remember that we’re cooking a soup, so it is very important to have the ground meat in tiny pieces, not chunks. I like to saute the meat in the first place because I want it to release the juices and get well cooked. That will take about 10 minutes on medium heat.

While the meat is getting browned, get your attention to the vegetables. Wash, peel, and finely dice the onion, celery ribs, carrots, and garlic cloves. Make sure to chop them all the same. That will turn out into an appealing aspect and even cooking times.

Bolognese Soup with Pasta ShellsAdd the finely diced veggies to the browning beef and mix. It is the right time to season the soon-to-be bolognese soup with spices such as salt, paprika, granulated garlic, and dried Italian herbs or oregano. Mix again, cover with the lead, and allow the veggies to cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Remember to mix once halfway through.

Now pour in one cup of tomato sauce, along with 3 cups of stock or broth, and mix again. Let everything simmer for a few minutes. In the meantime grab the pasta.

Bolognese Soup with Pasta ShellsAdd 1 1/2 cups of pasta to the simmering soup. See on the package what is the cooking time of the pasta because that’s how long it will take for your bolognese soup to be done. Once the pasta is cooked, add the shredded parmesan to the soup and mix. It is heavenly creamy and delicious. No turn off the stove because you can serve it immediately. Watch the video below:

YouTube video

How to serve the bolognese soup?

Serve the soup as soon as it is ready. There is no need to accompany the soup with croutons or bread because there’s the pasta in which covers the need. As a result, the bolognese soup is a bowl of comfort food perfectly served alone.

Bolognese Soup with Pasta Shells

Bolognese Soup with Pasta Shells

Bolognese Soup

Tatiana
Bolognese soup is aromatic and filling, it is a perfect recipe for the times when you want to balance protein and carbs on the same plate. Bring Italy to your kitchen in less than 30 minutes. 
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 382 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cup ground beef or pork
  • 1 onion
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 3 ribs celery
  • 3 cups broth meat or vegetable
  • 1 cup tomato sauce juice
  • 1 1/2 cup pasta shells
  • 1 cup parmesan shredded
  • 2-3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian herbs

Instructions
 

  • Heat up the olive oil in a soup pan
  • Fry the ground beef for 10 minutes on medium heat
  • Mix and crush the meat well
  • Peel the veggies and finely dice them
  • Add to the meat and season with salt, paprika, granulated garlic, and Italian herbs
  • Sautee for another 10 minutes
  • Pour in the tomato juice/sauce and the broth. Let simmer for 5 minutes
  • Add. in the pasta shells and cook until tender (see cooking time on the. package)
  • Add the shredded parmesan and mix
  • Serve with pleasure

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 20gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1409mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4209IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 2mg
Keyword bean soup recipe, bolognese recipe, bolognese sauce, bolognese soup, italian bolognese, meat soup
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