This soup is loaded with flavor from the onions and garlic, plus the cheesy topping!  I prefer to use pancetta instead of bacon; the flavor is a little smokier and the texture is less chewy. It's the perfect warm & comforting meal for those damp, early-spring evenings!

I lovingly refer to this dish as the "pantry pasta" because it's really just a delicious mix of whatever I have on hand! It's incredibly versatile and the unlikely combination of flavors will surprisingly become a regular addition to your monthly meal plan!

 The whole point of crock pot cooking is "fix it and forget it", and I wanted to apply that method of simplicity to a Thanksgiving-worthy turkey dinner.  The preparation takes only 10 minutes and the intoxicating aroma makes the 4 hour wait WORTH it! 

It's a few days after Thanksgiving and we are stuffed from overindulging during holiday festivities.  There are still leftovers in the refrigerator but the dry turkey sandwiches just aren't cutting it anymore.  Any of this sounding familiar?  I found the best way to use up any leftover roasted turkey or rotisserie chicken is by using it in a soup!

As soon as the weather starts to get chilly, I immediately start thinking of soups and stews to fill our weekday menu.  This is a classic Italian soup, easy to make with most ingredients you have on hand, including fresh thyme and pancetta.