Kittencal's Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

This is a delicious rich soup that will need a longer cooking time then most soups and tastes even better the next day it's really a meal in itself, I serve it with garlic bread on the side --- to save some time prepare the meatballs up to a day ahead, the meatball mixture may be doubled if desired, if you don't use all the meatballs then freeze for another time and just drop them into the soup frozen -- 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry red wine may be added to the soup :)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

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)

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:

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.

Reviews

[FrenchBunny]

My kitchen sure smells real good today. This soup is absolutely fantastic. Delicious blend of flavors. All I can say is Wow Kittencal. I love your recipes. I followed the recipe except I had about 1/2 cup frozen corn and added that, and I added a bit extra broth. The meatballs are wonderful. I made 40 meatballs with the amount of meat mixture and added them all to the soup. This is a scrumptious soup, thanks so much Kittencal. I hope you never stop posting recipes you are wonderful.

[bitch'n kitchen]

WOW!! I consider myself really good at making soup and I think this is the best soup I have ever made. My DH agrees, such depth of flavor. I sauteed the onions slowly while I peeled the carrots and celery and then added them with the onion and sauteed them. I always do this longer than recipes call for. I thought 2 hours seemed excessive to cook everything but decided who am I to argue with Kitten so I did it and wow am I glad I did it is truly amazing. I did add the green beans in the last 20 min and spinach at the very end. I doubled the recipe and used half tomato sauce and half crushed tomatoes like the recipe suggests. I wasn't sure what to use for the tomato sauce so I used Presidents Choice organic basil and tomato, it is fairly bland. Not sure most people would need to double this recipe it makes a lot but I am glad I did. Oh also used extra broth and it was still not a thin soup. Thanks so much for this recipe. LOVE IT!!!

[Chef #810151]

Omitted the zucchinis and though 5star even without, it needs the liquid. Cant wait to try with zucchini! THX!