Cooking Instructions

• Prep time for this soup doesn't include making meatballs from scratch. If needed, make the meatballs (use my meatball recipe and you'll have about half of the batch left over for other meals) or use store-bought or your own recipe.
• Add the olive oil and onions to a soup pot over medium-high heat and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red bell pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and meatballs. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
• Add the pasta once it's boiling.
• Reduce the heat and simmer it (covered, with the lid slightly open) for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Stir it a few times to ensure the pasta isn't sticking to the bottom of the pot. Note: Some brands of crushed tomatoes are thicker than others. Add more beef broth if the soup has become too thick (this soup is meant to be quite brothy).
• Stir in the basil and season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve with parmesan grated over top if desired.