that tastes like I’ve had it simmering away all day but since I’m at work that is not going to happen.  Here is my super fast, super satisfying; Meatball soup.  It’s hero quality cooking in one pot.
I start with 3 carrots, 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1/2 cup chopped bacon and 1 rib of celery.  Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes and a bay leaf.  Saute until the bacon has released its fat and is starting to crisp-up.
Meanwhile get your meatballs ready; 1 egg, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 cup parmesan, dash nutmeg, pepper to taste, 1 T. chopped parsley and 1 lb. of lean ground beef.
Add in 3 small potatoes quartered (about a cup) and 1 tsp. dried basil.
Add 5 cups chicken stock and a small handful of dried mushrooms (this gives you a slowcook taste without the slowcooking).
Make mini meatballs (about the size of a very large olive).

Drop into your simmering pot.  These are really meat dumplings that poach in your broth and add to the slowcooked taste.  If you like a crust on your meatballs just brown them in a pan before adding.
Let cook for five minutes.
Add 1 1/2 cup penne and let bubble for another 10 minutes until your pasta and meatballs are cooked through.

Top with 1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley and cook for a minute or two to infuse the flavour into your broth.

Feast.
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