Description
This Italian Beef Soup with Pasta Shells is a heartwarming, rustic dish that feels like a warm hug. By slowly simmering tender beef chuck roast with fresh aromatic vegetables like celery, carrots, and onions, the broth develops a deep, savory richness. The addition of pasta shells creates the perfect vessel for this soul-satisfying soup. It is a timeless, budget-friendly meal that transforms humble ingredients into a comforting labor of love, perfect for bringing the family together on a cold or chaotic day.
Ingredients
3 pounds beef chuck roast
1 quart beef stock
5 cups hot water
1 large onion, quartered
3 celery stalks with leaves, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound carrots, peeled and halved horizontally
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
2 medium garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups small pasta shells
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Place the beef chuck roast in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.
Add the beef stock and hot water until the beef is covered, ensuring the pot is at least one-quarter empty.
Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and skim off any foam.
Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, parsley, basil, and thyme to the pot.
Cover and simmer on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.
Remove the beef from the pot, shred it using two forks, and return the meat to the soup.
Stir in the pasta shells and continue to simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving hot.
Notes
Ensure the heat remains low for the slow-cooking process to keep the meat tender. You can prep the vegetables and shred the beef ahead of time to make serving even faster. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the soup thickens too much upon cooling, add a splash of beef stock when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg