ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds mixed pork and beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1 /2 tablespoons olive oil

Soup

• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup Pepe Acini Pasta (see notes)
• 4-5 ounces baby spinach
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, oregano, egg, and Parmesan cheese. Form the mixture into 3/4-inch balls. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and fry in the pan. Remove meatballs from pan and plate.In the same skillet over medium heat, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, parsley, basil and oregano and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Place the cooked vegetables in a heavy pot or saucepan. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.Add the Acini di Pepe and the cooked meatballs. Cook for 15 minutes or until noodles are tender. Add the spinach in the last minute of cooking. Stir the soup until the spinach is wilted. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

NOTES

You can substitute ground turkey, ground pork, ground beef, or Italian sausage.
For optimal flavor, brown the meatballs before adding them to the soup. Browning creates a great flavor that spreads throughout the pot. It also produces a better texture than a cooked meatball.
Use fresh or dried herbs such as parsley, thyme and rosemary.You can also replace the spinach with escarole, kale or escarole. They all work well in this soup recipe.
Orzo or Ditalani can replace the Pepe Acini pasta.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.Freeze for up to 3 months. For more information on freezing this soup, see below.

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