Tortellini Soup with Ground Beef and Red Tomato Sauce

Here’s a recipe for Tortellini Soup with Ground Beef and Red Tomato Sauce. This hearty and flavorful soup is a great comfort food for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

• 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth if preferred)

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

• 1 cup water

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini (frozen or fresh)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef:
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Remove any excess grease from the pan.

2. Sauté onion and garlic:
   Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot with the ground beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.

3. Add the tomatoes and sauce:
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add in the beef broth, water, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.

4. Simmer the soup:
   Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.

5. Cook the tortellini:
   While the soup is simmering, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions (usually around 2-3 minutes if frozen). Drain the tortellini once cooked.

6. Combine tortellini with soup:
   Add the cooked tortellini to the soup. Stir well and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to heat everything through.

7. Garnish and serve:
   Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Enjoy your warm, comforting Tortellini Soup with Ground Beef and Red Tomato Sauce! You can serve it with some crusty bread for dipping.