One of my families favorite comfort foods is Escarole Soup:
In a large soup pot saute 2 cloves crushed garlic in olive oil, add 1 lb ground round and brown. Drain off the excess fat.
Add an 8 oz can of tomato sauce, and simmer a few minutes, add salt and pepper to taste.
Add 1 or 2 (if small) bunches of washed and cut up escarole, and add enough water to cover.
Let simmer until the escarole is well cooked ( a couple of hours).
And 1 c. small pasta like tubettini or acini pepe ( I think pastina is too small for this dish) and about 4 - 6 oz of cubed hard parmesan cheese. Cook about 15 min. longer.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese.