Meatball Soup

Servings: 4 | Serving size: about 2 cups

Cooking Time: 90 Minutes

This recipe can easily be multiplied and makes great leftovers.

Ingredients

• For the soup:
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 large onions (large dice)
• 4 large ribs celery (large dice)
• 2 15-ounce can no salt added diced tomatoes
• 1 15-ounce can no salt added white beans (not drained/rinsed)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• fresh ground black pepper to taste
• For the meatballs:
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp rubbed sage
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground fennel seed
• 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
• 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 12 ounces 95% lean ground beef
• 6 large black olives (minced)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• For the pasta:
• 3 quarts water
• 8 ounces whole wheat or gluten-free pasta shells, elbows, or fusilli

Place 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.

Add the onion and celery and cook for about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the tomatoes, beans (with liquid), water, marjoram, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

Bring the soup to a simmer and reduce the heat to a slow simmer. Cook for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Remove the soup from the heat, stir, and let cool for about 5 minutes.

Use an immersion blender and puree until smooth.

While the soup is simmering, place a large skillet in the oven and preheat to 325°F.

Place the oregano, sage, paprika, fennel, garlic, pepper, ground beef, and olives in a mixing bowl.

Blend together well and then roll into 20 small meat balls.

Place the olive oil in the skillet and swirl. Add the meatballs and return the pan to the oven.

Roast for about 15 minutes. Toss about every 4 minutes.

Remove and let cool.

While the meatballs are in the oven, place the water in a large sauce pan over high heat.

When the water boils, add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12-15 minutes (or until done). Drain and add to the tomato soup (after the soup is pureed).

Add the meatballs to the completed soup. Stir gently and serve.