Ditalini Italian Soup for #SundaySupper

Comfort food: the theme of this week's #SundaySupper and a favorite kind of food for me to make. People gravitate towards chili, mac-n-cheese and soups and I get all kinds of giddy. This week I decided to make Ditalini Italian Soup. The classic Italian flavors of oregano, basil and garlic really lend themselves to making this dish great.

Comfort food to me means a dish that brings you joy and reminds you of the place and time in which youfirst ate it. More often than not, I see comfort food as a dish you want me to make time and time again, that's easy and a joy to cook, and also a pleasure to serve to others. I created this soup a long while ago and cook it on a regular basis for our household of two. 

I like to make my own meatballs for the dish when I have the time, but the reason it's such a go-to meal for me is because it can be made with no fuss and almost no clean up. This is where the frozen meatballs come into play and, more often than not, this is how I make the soup, so frozen meatballs is the ingredient that made it into the recipe. After all, I have to leave my fabulous meatball recipe for another time, right?

Ingredients:

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can diced tomatoes with juice (I use the ones seasoned with basil and oregano)

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 cans reduced sodium chicken broth

1 tbsp Italian Seasoning

A couple of dashes of Texas Pete hot sauce

A pinch of red pepper flakes

Meatballs (I am a really big fan of the frozen Armour Italian-style meatballs, for a quick meal)

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cup Ditalini pasta

Couple pinches of salt

Pinch of dried oregano 

Pinch of dried basil

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes, adding a little bit of salt.

Add the garlic to the pan and saute together with the onions for 1 minute. Then add the meatballs, can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and dashes of hot sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes.

While still simmering, add the Parmesan cheese and Ditalini pasta and continue to simmer another 15 minutes.

Remove pan from stove top, add dried oregano and basil. I like to also add some freshly grated Pecorino Romano, but that's just preference.

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Now, below you'll find all the links to the fabulous dishes that other #SundaySupper participants have cooked up. Be sure to visit because the yum-yums are endless! :)

Comfort Food |Soups

• Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup by Damn Delicious
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Supper for a Steal
• Kalbi Tang or Korean Short Rib Soup by Kimchi MOM
• Korean Mandoo (Dumpling) Soup by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Chicken Noodle Soup by My Catholic Kitchen
• Thai'd Up Chicken Noodle Soup by I Run For Wine
• Ditalini Italian Soup by Mangiamo!
• Spicy Black Bean Soup by Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Chicken Chowder by Pippis in the Kitchen Again

Comfort Food  | Main Dish

• Sausage Gravy and Biscuits by Big Bears Wife
• Comforting Down-Home Shrimp and Grits by The Weekend Gourmet
• Pumpkin Alfredo Tortellini Bake by The Meltaways
• Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese by Flour on My Face
• Lasagna Roll Ups by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Green Plantain Hash by Basic n Delicious
• Venison Chili by The Messy Baker Blog
• Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells by That Skinny Chick can Bake
• Winter Chicken Stew by Mrs. Mama Hen
• Quinoa, Spinach, and Kale Lasagna by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Baked Oysters and Apples by Pescetarian Journal
• Individual Chicken Pot Pies by Noshing With The Nolands
• Kaesespaetzle {Baked Cheese Spaetzle} by Galactosemia in PDX
• Jalapeno and Bacon Mac N’ Cheese by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Quiche aux Champignons {Mushroom Quiche} by An Appealing Plan
• Mini Mac n Cheese Cups with Pork Shoulder Ragù by Hip Foodie Mom
• Chicken a la King by Girlichef
• Creamy Chicken & Dumplings by La Cocina de Leslie
• Spaghetti Squash Gratins by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
• Hot Dr. Pepper with Lemon by Kwistins Favorites
• Creamy Chicken Enchiladas by Home Cooking Memories
• Savory Slow-Cooked Pork Stew by Daddy Knows Less
• Chicken Roasted with White Wine and Garlic by Webicurean
• Shepherd’s Pie by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• One Skillet Pumpkin Lasagna by The Realistic Nutritionist
• Chicken “Pot Pie” by Diabetic Foodie
• Gluten Free Cornish Pasty by Maroc Mama
• Warm Oven Baked Samosas Stuffed With Sweet Potato & Peas by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Caramelized Onion-Challah Stuffing Muffins by Comfy Cuisine
• Comforting Mashed Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
• Chunky Chili Beans by Mama Mommy Mom
• Rustic Cauliflower and Tomato Gratin by The Wimpy Vegetarian 
• Basmati Rice with Saffron by Family Spice
• Feijoada ~ Portuguese Bean Stew by Family Foodie

Comfort Food | Desserts

• Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy by Juanita’s Cocina
• Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Sour Cream Pound Cake by Mom’s Test Kitchen
• Chocolate Layer Cake by Magnolia Days
• Cinnamon Rice Pudding by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Smores Hot Cocoa by Chocolate Moosey
• Sweet Red Bean Pie by What Smells So Good
• Pistachio Cake Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake by No One Likes Crumbly Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Caramel Brownies by Daily Dish Recipes
• Nutella Shortbread Bars by Baker Street

Pairing Wine with Sunday Supper Comfort Food Favorites! by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog