2cupsdry reginetti pasta or broken lasagna noodles5 ounces
Optional For Serving
¼cupgrated Parmesan
¼cupricotta
Instructions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 10 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Once the beef has browned, add the onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, basil, oregano, parsley, black pepper, red pepper, beef broth, and water to the pot. Stir together, cover the pot, and turn up the heat to bring to a boil. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking. It will take about 10 minutes to come to a boil.
Once boiling, add the pasta. Stir together and reduce heat to medium. Cook the soup uncovered for half the amount of time the pasta box recommends, stirring occasionally. Important: You should slightly undercook the pasta. Once you remove the pot from the heat, the pasta will continue to cook and absorb the broth.
After the pasta has cooked for half the recommended cooking time, remove the soup from the heat. Let the soup sit uncovered for 5 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf and ladle the soup into bowls. Top with the Parmesan and ricotta.