Kittencal's Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 3 -4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to suit heat level)
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken broth (can use beef broth)
• 4 cups tomato sauce (for a richer flavor use 2 cups each tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes)
• 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) can green beans, drained
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (rinsed over with cold water)
• 2 -3 medium zucchini, sliced thick (or coarsely chopped)
• cooked small shell pasta (use any amount desired, small shell pasta or macaroni will work fine)
• 1/3-1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (more for sprinkling)
• salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 lb extra lean ground beef (or use half beef and lamb)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green onion, finely chopped (use white part only)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or 1/2 teaspoon white salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 for the meatballs; in a bowl combine all ingredients until blended.
• 2 shape into 3/4-inch balls; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to add to the soup.
• 3 in a large pot heat olive oil over medium-high heat; add in garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
• 4 add in onions, dried oregano and crushed chili flakes; saute for about 4 minutes, stirring.
• 5 add in celery, carrots and tomato paste; saute stirring for 2-3 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.
• 6 add in chicken broth, tomato sauce, kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves and zucchini; return to a boil.
• 7 add in uncooked meatballs; bring to a simmer (do not stir for at least 20 minutes).
• 8 reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours (after about 30 minutes of cooking season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste).
• 9 add in cooked pasta and 1/3 to 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; stir to heat through (can add in more cheese if desired).
• 10 ladle into bowls and sprinkle with more parmesan cheese.