Italian Wedding Soup Supper

From the Feb/March 2012 Taste of Home Magazine. Submitted by Patricia Harmon. She notes "In a classic Italian Wedding Soup, the meat marries the vegetables in a broth. Which type of meat and which vegetables are subject to change, according to your arrangements. Chicken goes well with the savory trio of onion, carrot and celery, with meatballs and spinach in supporting roles."

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 pot

Ingredients

• 2  cups small shell pasta
• 1⁄2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2  tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1  medium carrot, finely chopped
• 1  celery rib, chopped
• 1 (12 ounce) package  frozen italian style meatballs, cooked and thawed
• 1 (10 3/4ounce) can  reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1  cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2  teaspoons fresh thyme or 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 3⁄4 cup asiago cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink; remove and keep warm.
3. In the same skillet, saute the onion, carrot and celery in remaining oil until tender.
4. Add the meatballs, cream of chicken soup, spinach, chicken broth, thyme, salt, pepper and reserved chicken.
5. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until heated through.
6. Drain pasta; stir into skillet.
7. Sprinkle with cheese.