Hearty Beef Tomato Acini Di Pepe Soup

Quick Hook

Beef Tomato and Acini Di is the kind of bowl I make when rain hits and I want something honest.

It marries braised beef richness with bright tomato tang and tiny acini di pepe pearls. Oh my gosh, that little pasta gives the soup a playful bite.

My grandma used to say, A pot of soup is like a hug. I swear she was right. This feels like an Italian beef and tomato soup version of that hug.

Brief Overview

This recipe comes from Italian-American comfort cooking. It nods to pantry staples and simple soffritto work. Difficulty is medium. You need to brown meat and time the pasta just right.

Prep time is 20 minutes and cook time about 1 hour 10 minutes . The soup yields six generous bowls.

Think weeknight supper or a Sunday family meal. It slots nicely into Crockpot Soups For Fall if you want a slow version.

It also plays well in a Soup Kitchen vibe or a Soup And Stew rotation.

Main Benefits

Top health benefit: lots of protein and veggies. It’s a filling meal without feeling heavy. Add greens and it becomes a Soup And Salad pairing in one go.

Perfect for cozy nights or when you need a Comforting weeknight beef soup. Leftovers reheat great if you keep pasta separate. Honestly, that little trick saved me many times.

What makes this recipe special is the texture contrast. The tiny rounds of acini di pepe pop against chunks of beef.

If you love Soups with acini di pepe or an Acini di pepe soup recipe, this one checks all the boxes.

It’s also a lovely Braised beef and tomato soup when you let it simmer long.

I struggled at first with mushy pasta. Lesson learned: cook pasta separately. Also, deglaze properly for deep flavor. Those small steps change everything.

If you like Beef and acini di pepe soup ideas, this is your new go-to. It feels rustic, bright, and like real home food.

Ready? Next up: the ingredients and tools you’ll need.

Ingredients & Equipment quick and chatty

Fun fact: soup comforts more people than pizza on rainy nights. Soup is food that loves you back. Oh my gosh, this Beef Tomato and Acini Di combo really proves it.

Perfect for Crockpot Soups For Fall or a little home Soup Kitchen vibe.

Main Ingredients

Grouped by usage to keep life easy.

Soup base

• 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 lb (450 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes. Look for even marbling. Good color matters.
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (~ 150 g )
• 2 medium carrots, diced (~ 130 g )
• 2 stalks celery, diced (~ 120 g )
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Deglaze & braise

• 1 tbsp tomato paste ( 15 g )
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry red wine or broth
• 28 oz (796 g) canned whole tomatoes, crushed (or 2 cups / 480 ml crushed)
• 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta & finish

• 3/4 cup (150 g) acini di pepe (or 1 cup for more pasta)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley, plus 1 2 tbsp grated Parmesan per bowl
• Juice of 1/2 lemon or 1 tsp red wine vinegar

Quality notes: choose beef with visible fat. Use canned tomatoes packed without additives. Pick real acini di pepe, not orzo, for authentic texture.

Seasoning Notes

Essential combos: oregano + thyme + bay leaf. Add garlic and tomato paste for depth.
Aromatics: sauté onion, carrot, celery until soft.

Add garlic last. Flavor boosters: splash of red wine. Finish with lemon juice or vinegar.
Substitutions: no acini? Use orzo or ditalini.

No chuck? Use stew meat or short ribs for a richer Braised beef and tomato soup . This is an easy Acini di pepe soup recipe tweak.

Equipment Needed

Essential tools only: large heavy pot or Dutch oven ( 6 8 qt / 5.5 7.5 L ), small saucepan, chef’s knife, cutting board, wooden spoon, ladle.

Household alternatives: use a heavy saucepan if no Dutch oven. A colander replaces a small saucepan for pasta. An ovenproof pot works too.

This is a proper Comforting weeknight beef soup . It sits nicely between Soup And Stew and Soup And Salad territory.

Honestly, it’s one of my go-to Soups with acini di pepe . Try it tonight.

Cooking Method

Prep Steps

Get everything ready. Trim and cube beef. Dice onion, carrot, and celery. Mince garlic. Measure pasta and liquids. This mise en place saves time.

It also keeps you calm. Oh my gosh, I once browned beef before I prepped veggies. Big chaos.

Keep raw meat cold. Store it at or below 40° F ( 4° C) until cooking. Wash hands after handling. Use separate boards for meat and veg. Safety first.

A quick tip: line a tray for browned meat. It makes space and speeds return to the pot. If you're making Crockpot Soups For Fall, do the same prep and dump into the slow cooker.

step-by-step Process

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil. Season beef. Brown in batches. Aim for a deep brown crust.
2. Remove beef. Add 1 tbsp oil and sauté soffritto for 5– 7 minutes until soft.
3. Stir in garlic and 1 tbsp tomato paste. Cook 30 60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Deglaze with 1/2 cup wine or broth. Scrape browned bits.
5. Return beef. Add tomatoes, 6 cups broth, herbs, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
6. Reduce heat and simmer gently 45– 60 minutes . Visual cue: beef pulls apart with a fork.
7. Cook acini di pepe separately 9– 12 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly. Add pasta to bowls and ladle soup over it to avoid mushy leftovers.

Keep the simmer at about 185° F ( 85° C) for a steady gentle bubble. Taste and adjust salt. Finish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Pro Tips

• Brown in batches. Crowding kills crust and flavor.
• Cook pasta separately. This keeps leftovers solid.
• Brighten at the end with lemon or vinegar. It wakes the tomatoes.

Common mistakes: under browning beef, overcooking pasta, and oversalting before reduction. For make-ahead: refrigerate soup without pasta. Reheat, then cook fresh acini di pepe.

I love serving this in my tiny Soup Kitchen nights. It hits like an Italian beef and tomato soup. It also plays well with Soup And Stew nights, Soup And Salad combos, or a Comforting weeknight beef soup menu.

If you try this Beef Tomato and Acini Di bowl, tell me how it turned out. Soups with acini di pepe always feel nostalgic.

Recipe Notes

Fun fact: soups almost always taste better the next day. I learned that the hard way. I would rush dinner and wonder why flavors were flat.

Let it rest overnight and boom. Richer, deeper, happier bowls.

When I talk about Beef Tomato and Acini Di I mean hearty comfort. This is an Italian beef and tomato soup vibe.

Think braised beef and tomato soup with tiny pasta pearls. It feels like a Soup Kitchen classic. Also fits Crockpot Soups For Fall if you want hands-off warmth.

Serving Suggestions

Plate with care. Spoon soup into warm bowls. Add a nest of freshly cooked acini di pepe in each bowl.

Top with parsley and a pinch of Parmesan. Serve with crusty focaccia or garlic bread. Pair with a crisp salad for a Soup And Salad combo.

For drinks, try Chianti or a cold lager. Honestly, it feels like dinner and a hug.

Storage Tips

Cool to room temperature first. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Freeze only the broth and beef.

Do not freeze pasta together. Reheat gently on low. Add freshly cooked pasta when serving.

Bold tip: cook pasta separately to avoid mush. I say it because I once ruined a pot by overcooking pasta.

Lesson learned. Cook acini di pepe for 9 12 minutes . Simmer beef for 45 60 minutes .

Variations

Go gluten-free by swapping acini for gluten-free small pasta. Use pearl couscous for a different texture. For a vegetarian spin, replace beef with mushrooms and use vegetable broth.

Try seasonal swaps like roasted winter squash in fall. This dish adapts well to a Soup And Stew mood or a lighter Comforting weeknight beef soup twist.

Nutrition Basics

Per serving, expect around 320 calories. Protein sits near 22 grams. The tomatoes bring vitamin C and lycopene. Beef delivers iron and B vitamins.

Veggies add fiber and color. It’s balanced and filling.

I hope this helps. Make it your own. If you want tips for Crockpot versions or a printable Acini di pepe soup recipe, tell me and I’ll send it over.

You got this.