Ground Beef and Bacon Soup with Garlic & Parsley Croutons

Hearty Ground Beef and Bacon Soup with Garlic & Parsley Croutons

In an effort to use up the bits and pieces of what was left in my refrigerator  this hearty and delicious soup was born...

Ground Beef and Bacon Soup

1/2 pound ground beef

1/4 pound bacon

1 onion

1 carrot

2 cloves garlic minced

2 stalks celery

1 jar spaghetti sauce

4 cups chicken stock

1-2 cups water

1 tablespoon chicken soup base

1 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon tarragon

1 box spiral pasta

2 tablespoons whole spelt grains

salt and pepper to taste

In a medium stock pot brown ground beef, remove from pan and drain grease, in same sauce pan brown bacon till crisp, remove bacon and break into small bits, chop carrot, onion and celery and saute in bacon grease till soft. Return beef to sauce pan and add chicken stock, spaghetti sauce, soup base and herbs, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on low for 1 hour, add water and bring back to a boil, add pasta and cook until tender.  Salt a pepper to taste

Croutons

1/2 loaf french bread cubed

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 clove garlic minced

2 tablespoons fresh Parsley

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Toss cubed bread in olive oil and mix with remaining ingredients, toast in 350 degree oven on a baking sheet for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve soup with croutons and sprinkle with cooked bacon and spelt grains