🖤 The Best KITTENCAL'S MINI MEATBALL MINESTRONE SOUP
Try easy KITTENCAL'S MINI MEATBALL MINESTRONE SOUP Recipe. Step-by-Step. is perfect for busy families. Comes together quickly with a few staple ingredients!
INGREDIENTS
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) MEATBALLS 1?2 lb extra lean ground beef (or use half beef and pork) 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
DIRECTIONS
For the meatballs; in a bowl combine all ingredients until blended. Shape into 3/4-inch balls; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to add to the soup. In a large pot heat olive oil over medium-high heat; add in garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Add in onions, dried oregano and crushed chili flakes; saute for about 4 minutes, stirring. Add in celery, carrots and tomato paste; saute stirring for 2-3 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon. Add in chicken broth, tomato sauce, kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves and zucchini; return to a boil. Add in uncooked meatballs; bring to a simmer (do not stir for at least 20 minutes). 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). Add in cooked pasta and 1/3 to 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; stir to heat through (can add in more cheese if desired). Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.
by: Kittencalrecipezazz
