Emma Full of flavour winter warmer inspired by Italian Food
It’s comfort food season, chilly nights are ahead and this indulgent and hearty soup can be made with simple ingredients. I used some Lidl Deluxe porcini, champignon & truffle mezzelune. You could also use cheese-filled ravioli, meat-filled ravioli and tortellini, This is a basic tomato broth which is given some luxurious oomph with cream, parmesan and fragrant Italian seasoning. A quick and easy recipe, under 20 minutes and it can be made in one pot. Perfect for busy weeknights especially on a cold winter night. This soup will taste like you have spent all day in the kitchen. So pour a bowl of soup and chase away chilly days with this soup the whole family will love.
Tips
Many ingredients can be added to this tomato sauce soup base. From fresh spinach, carrots, peppers, or courgettes.
We used chicken stock. Use vegetable stock for a vegan or vegetarian alternative
Instead of Mezzelune, use fresh tortellini, fresh ravioli, mini ravioli, or any other non-filled pasta shape such as faralle, fusilli or macaroni. Using fresh pasta cuts down on the cooking time.
Add some red pepper flakes or harissa paste for a kick.
Add extra garlic cloves for a more garlic bite.
Questions
How to store this soup
Let the soup cool and place it into an airtight container. Omit the pasta if you are planning on using the soup base the next day as the pasta will soften.
Can this soup be frozen?
Yes, it can, just hold back with the pasta. Cook every other step, place in an airtight container and place in the freezer.
Can you freeze soup with pasta in it?
You can, but it will mean that the pasta will soak up the liquid and be soggy when the soup is defrosted and cooked. Ideally, to keep the pasta firm, don’t!
Can you freeze soup made with cream?
Yes, but the cream can separate and it won’t look as good. You can make sure that you whisk the soup well when reheating so that the mixture comes together. Or make the soup without the cream and add it to the soup once you have defrosted it.
What is the cooking time for this soup?
Approximately 20 minutes.
Could this soup be made in an instant pot or pressure cooker?
Yes, make the tomato soup base in an instant pot, then add the cream and pasta at the end once you have stopped the cooking. Use the residual heat to cook the pasta.
Full recipe for Creamy Italian Pasta Soup
Ingredients
400 g fresh mezzaluna (or any other pasta you wish)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped or use 2 tsp of onion powder
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 cloves of garlic minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
250 ml puréed tomatoes
1 litre chicken broth
250 ml single cream
30 g grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano,
1 tsp dried sage,
1 tsp black pepper
Fresh herbs to garnish such as basil.
Instructions
In a large pot heat the olive oil and butter over a medium heat.
Add onions and garlic, cook until they soften.
Add the spices and mix.
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Add tomato paste and puréed tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the fresh pasta and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Then pour in cream and add Parmesan. Stir to combine well.
Simmer for a couple of minutes.
Serve with crusty bread and some fresh basil and enjoy these wonderful flavours.
More recipes to warm up a chilly night.
Carrot, Ginger and Coconut Soup
Creamy Italian Pasta Soup
Ingredients
- 00 g fresh mezzaluna or any other pasta you wish
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions finely chopped or use 2 tsp of onion powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cloves of garlic minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 250 ml puréed tomatoes
- 1 litre chicken broth
- 250 ml single cream
- 30 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Fresh herbs to garnish such as basil.
Instructions
- In a large pot heat the olive oil and butter over a medium heat.
- Add onions and garlic, and cook until they soften.
- Add the spices and mix.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add tomato paste and puréed tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the fresh pasta and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Then pour in cream and add Parmesan. Stir to combine well.
- Simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Serve with crusty bread and some fresh basil and enjoy these wonderful flavours.
