Beef and Pasta Soup (More Information)

A good soup, and a quick meal, requires that some very basic concepts are followed. For starters you need something to provide the base for the recipe. In this case, we are using beef which will work nicely with all the other ingredients as it will absorb certain flavors from those other ingredients while cooking.

Meanwhile, having a grain is just good for you as well as providing plenty of substance to the dish. While basic rice would work in this recipe, this recipe suggests using rice pasta. Rice pasta cooks considerably faster than plain rice (because it is processed) and since it has a different flavor than plain rice, results in adding a unique texture to this recipe.

The tomato and the onion (or any vegetables or fruit you add) are the main source of the distinctive flavors in this recipe. Tomatoes will provide richness and, also, add a hint of a sauce to this recipe (especially given the rice noodles). The yellow onion provides a mild spiciness though garlic is my preferred choice to give this recipe a little extra flavor.

Finally, the broth is probably the most important ingredient. For one, it adds flavor to everything since it compliments and really unites all the other flavors. The broth makes the tomatoes taste more rich, the onions more flavorful (largely due to the salt) and of course enhances the flavor of the ground beef. More importantly though, the broth gives the rice pasta a liquid for it to cook in (and by cooking in it, the rice pasta absorbs flavor).